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DiURNA 

OR 






An Account ^f the remar!^abu: 

TRANSACTIONS Of EVERY BM, 





Class ]' 7^' 

cop>'iight F ■ ^^y ^ 

COPYRIGHT DEPOSli^ 




Parkman Coat-of-Arms. 



THE DIARY 

OF 

Rev. ebenezer parkman, 

OF WESTBOROUGH, MASS., 



For the months of February, March, April, October and November. 1737. 
November and December of 1778, and the years of 1779 and 1780. 



Hi.s motto was : — "Siiiciri/ns in Cordo I'st diilrts .\iiti-iciihi Sfiii'ditlis. 

" Thy Heart is not right with God. Let me bear this saying in 
mind that I may keep clear of such a charge upon me ! " 



HARRIETTE M. FORBES. 
I) 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE WESTBOROUGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
1899. 



Uy^v 



TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 



Library of C«ngre«% 
Qiiif Of tht 






N0V1818W 



V,.::: 



copyright, 1899. by 
-he Westborough Historical^ Society, 



Fl'^r^T c 






PREFACE. 



In giving a part of Mr. Parkman's Journal to the public, the West- 
borough Historical Society feel that they are making a valuable con- 
tribution to local New England History. It is not only a vivid 
picture of their own town during the last century, but a type of all 
New England towns, — the petty cares and economies, the small 
jealousies and quarrels, and back of it all and broader than all, the 
earnest, honest, God-fearing lives of those only a few generations 
before us. 

We especially feel indebted to Mrs. Edward Tuckerman, of Am- 
herst, who lent us most willingly and kindly the manuscript 
Journal. Miss Eliza S. Parkman, of Boston, has given us help 
repeatedly in too many ways to be separatel}' enumerated. Miss 
Alice B. Gould, of Boston, lent the picture of Edmund Quincy — 
Mrs. George Sumner, of Worcester, those of Rev. Mr. Sumner, of 
Shrewsbury, and his house — Mr. Bradford Kingman, of Brookline, 
the two blocks taken from Barbour's Collections, Harvard College 
and Eli Whitney's house— Mr. Arthur B. Denny, of Chestnut Hill, 
made the copies of Madam Parkman and of the Parkman Coat-of. 
Arms — the latter from a water-color illumination which formerly 
adorned the walls of the Westborough parsonage. 

The extracts from the Natalitia are published through the 
courtesy of the American Antiquarian Society. 

The drawing of Mr. Parkman on the cover is the only picture of 
him known to be in existence. It was a niemor}- sketch, done with 
pen and ink. 

The photograph of the handsome old table which Elias brought 
up from Cambridge is taken from the original now owned by Mr. 
Parkman T. Denny, of Leicester, and coveted by all of the old min- 
ister's descendants. The slate top has beeu replaced by a board. 



IV PREFACE. 

but the handsome carving and Ijeautiful wood might well excite 
the enthusiasm of a greater connoisseur in antique furniture than 
Klias Parkman. 

The Journal has been carefully copied, but for the sake of clear- 
ness most of the abbreviations have been written out. Mr. Park- 
man usually wrote they, yy — them, y'" — their, yeir^ and abbre- 
viated many other common words. The italicized words have 
been retained, except in the case of proper names — which he 
always underscores. In a very few cases where the words were 
illegible or blotted, an interrogation mark indicates the uncertainty. 

The notes have been written mostly from town records or au- 
thentic history, tradition very rarely being allowed a voice. 

HARRIETTK -M. FORBKS. 
Worcester, Mass., May 29, 1899. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The following pages are part of the Jourual of Rev. Ebene/.er 
Park man. It is probable that he kept it for the whole period of 
his long pastorate iu Westborough. Much of it has been lost— that 
for many years burned,— a few volumes are in the Library of the 
Antiquarian Society in Worcester,— one at least in that of the Mas- 
sachusetts Historical Society of Boston. This volume, w^iich the 
Westborough Historical Society is enabled to print through the 
kindness of Mrs. Edward Tuckerman, of Amherst, is owned l)y 
her. It is all in one book, sewed together probably long after Rev. 
Ebenezer's death. Mrs. Tuckerman writes : "The book came to 
me directly from my aunt, Mrs. Asa Rand, an older sister of my 
father's who received it from her mother Sarah, daughter of Rev. 
Ebene/.er. My good old aunt had more of her grandfather's diary, 
but in some of her movings (she was a minister's wife), it got left 
behind in a box of papers, on a closet shelf, she told me, and she 
could not recover it, probably destroyed as waste paper." 

Ebenezer Parkman was born in Boston, Sept. 5, 1703. His father 
was Wm. Parkman, who in 1680 married Elizabeth Adams, also of 
Boston. She is buried on Copp's Hill— dying on the 13th of April, 
1746. Wm. Parkman had died sixteen years earlier, Nov. 30, 1730. 
He was born in Salem, where his father Elias had settled, iu 1658. 
This Elias, born in 1635, was also the sou of Elias Parkman, who 
had come among the earliest settlers to New England, and grand- 
son of Thomas Parkman, of Sidmouth, Devon, England. 

Ebeuezer Parkman was admitted to Harvard College in 1717, 
when he was fourteen years old, and graduated in 1721. The 
next year he taught school in Newton, living with the brother Elias, 
whom he mentions in the first part of the Journal. This brother 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

was a mastmaker, and in 1728 an advertisement appears in a local 
paper : — 

"April I. Mr. Henrj' Richards wants to sell a parcel of likely negro boys 
and one negro girl, arrived from Nevis, and were brought from Guinea. To be 
seen at the house of Mr. Elias Parkman, mastmaker, at the North End." 

As the Rev. Ebenezer purchased a slave boy, Maro, in August of 
that year, it is very possible that he vi^as one of this "parcel." 
Maro lived only a little more than a year at the Westborough par- 
sonage, and Mr. Parkman writes under date of Dec. 6, 1728 : " Dark 
as it has been with us, it became much Darker abt ye Sun Setting. 
The .Sun of Maro's life Sat. The first Death in my Family! God, 
enable me to see thy Sovereign mind and comport with his holy 
Will." 

This brother Elias and his wife are both buried on Copp's Hill, 
dying in 1741 and 1746. 

Mr. Parkman's son Elias was undoubtedly named for this favorite 
brother, and indeed most of his children bore the names of his 
brothers and sisters— Mary, Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Susannah, 
.lle.xander, Samuel, John, and Elias being names common to each. 

In 1723, Mr. Parkman commenced to preach, and twice during 
that summer occupied the Westborough pulpit. In 1724, he and 
the Rev. Jacob Eliot, of Boston, were nominated in a Town Meeting 
as candidates for the position of Town Minister in Westborough, 
and he, proving the successful candidate, was installed nine months 
later, over the little church organized just before. 

Those nine months had been very busy ones to the young man. 
Only a month had passed since he had become twenty-one years of 
age. He had built himself a house on the bleak hill-top where the 
Lyman School now stands, and he had married a wife in July — Mary 
Champney, of Cambridge. 

The Church was organized in this new house of INIr. I'arktiian's — 
with twelve members besides the pastor. They were : Thomas For- 
bush, John Pratt, Edmund Rice, Isaac Tomlin, John Fay, David 
Maynard, Thomas Newton, James Bradish, David Brigham, Joseph 
Wheeler, James Ball and Isaac Tomlin, Jr. It was five years before 
the little church near the parsonage was finished. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Vll 



" In the year 1729" — so says the Book of Church Records, "A 
Flaggon was sent the Church from a Friend of its Welfare at Boston. 
See Zechariah 6, 14, latter part. 

"In the year 1735, 10 sh. was given ye Church towards a Baptism 
Bason, afterwards another 10 sh. was given by the same person, who 
also Vjought ye Bason Dec, 1739, and devoted it to ye Qhh's use. 
N. B. A Frame for ye Bason with its shaft and vScrews, etc., price 
20s., was given and Devoted by ye Same." 

The flagon and basin have been guarded from the destruction 
which has overtaken nearly everything else connected with the 
little church on the hill, and have found their way through the kind- 
ness of Mr. John A. Fayerweather, into the collection of the His- 
torical Society. They are both of pewter, and bring before our 
eyes more vividly than any words could do, the simplicity and 
poverty and sincerity of these first members of the Westborough 
Church. 




RAPTISM IT.Ar.OON AND BASON. 



Vlll INTRODl'CTION. 

In February, 1737, when we begin in the middle of an entry in the 
minister's Journal, he was living in his house on the Lyman School 
Hill. His wife had died January 29, 1735. They had the following 
children : — 

Mary, born vSepteniber 14, 1725. 

Ebenezer, born August 20, 1727 — buried by his father's side in 
Memorial Cemetery. 

Lydia, born Septeml)er 20, 1731, and died June 21, 1733. 

Thomas, born July 3, 1729. 

Lucy, born September 23, 1734. 

Mr. Parkman married again, Hannah Kreck, September 11, 1737 — 
and their children were : — 

Elizabeth, born December 25, 1738— died January 14, 1739. 

William, born February 19, 1741. 

Sarah, born March 20, 1742. 

Susannah, born March 13, 1744- 

Alexander, born February 17, 1746. 

Breck, born January 27, 1748. 

Samuel, born August 22, 1751. 

John, born July 21, 1753. 

Anna Sophia, born October 18, 1755. 

Hannah, born February 9, 175S— died in 1777— antl buried in 
Memorial Cemeterj-. 

Elias, born January 6, 1761. 

Sixteen children in all, of whom only two died in infancy. 



diary of rev. ebenezer parkman. 9 

February, 1737. 

by y^ means thereof. That we may be awares & have our 
E5'es open our minds apprehefisive nozv, and not have \^ first 
thorow sense of those Things in \^ midst of y"^ unhappy 
Experience of y'". 

14. I put off my Journey by means y^ it was Town 
Meeting. 

15. I rode to Concord. Mr. Flagg of Grafton my Com- 
pany, from Biglo's in Marlboro. Mr. Whiting^ and his wife 
had rid out. Capt. Joseph Buckley Spent the evening with 
us. I had conversation an hour or two with Mrs. Israel 
Whiting, lodged there. 

16. Lieut. Trowbridge came to Mr. Whiting's & was 
my Company to Watertown. Lodged at Father Champ- 
ney's" at Cambridge. 



iRev. John Whiting, of Concord, died May 4, 1752, aged 71. He 
was pastor of the church for 26 years, " a man of wealth, learning, 
influence and talents" — "a gentleman of singular hospitality and 
generosity." His second wife, whom he married in 1731, was the 
widow of Dr. Jonathan Prescott. He was the grandson of Hon. 
Thos. Danforth, deputy-governor. 

-"Father Champney " was Samuel Champney, of Cambridge, 
born March 8, 1666-7 and died in March 1745-6. Mr. Parkman's 
first wife was his daughter Mary, who was baptized May 21, 1699, 
married July 7, 1724, and died Jan'y 29, 1735-6. 

"Sister Hicks" and "Sister Lydia," often mentioned in the 
Journal, were two younger sisters of the first Mrs. Parkman. Re- 
becca, born in 1703, married John Hicks, while Lydia, born in 1705, 
was unmarried and seems to have made her home part of the 
time in the minister's familv. 



£0 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

17. Rode to Boston. My mother^ still iu a measure of 
Comfort thro' the Blessing of God. I could not be season- 
able for lecture. N. B. At Mr. Increase Sumner'sMn y'^ 
morning. N. B. Capt. Foot & Sister Elizabeth & Mrs. 
Mary Tilestone took a ride with me in a double Slay at 
evening to Capt. Robert Sharp's' at Brookline, and Br^ 
Elias came to us upon my Horse, after supper there. At 10 
o'clock they returned in y*^ Slay but I tarried. N. B. The 
discovery of my Inclinations to Capt. Sharp and to Mm. 
By y^'"" urgent Persuasions I tarried and lodged there. N. 
B. Mrs. Susanna Sharp. 

18. I rode to Father Champney's and thence to West- 

1 Among the Epitaphs on Copp's Hill is the following : " Here 
lyes buried the body of Mrs. Elizabeth Parknian, the virtuous and 
pious consort of Mr. William Parkman, aged 85 years and 7 months, 
Apr. ye 13th, 1746." 

-Mr. Increase Sumner was a son-in-law of Capt. Robert Sharpe, 
having married his daughter Sarah, a year or less before this date. 
She, as well as " Mistress Susanna," was a cousin of Susannah 
Boylstou, the mother of Pres. John Adams. 

Their son Increase, born in 1746, was (Governor Increase Sum- 
ner of Massachusetts. 

3 Capt. Robert Sharpe was a prominent citizen of Brookline. He 
owned all the land from the corner of School and Washington 
streets on the north side to a line above Park Street extending 
across Harvard Street to the Longwood Marshes, above the Aspiu- 
wall lands and below the present Stearns lands. His house was 
standing until aljout thirty years ago, never painted except the 
window frames, which were white. He was a man of wealth. 

Mistress Susanna was born May 29, 1716,— so, was a maid of 
twenty-one summers at this time. She afterwards married Thomas 
Snow, of Boston. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZKR PARKMAN. I I 

borough. N. B. Mr. Tilestone & Capt. \Vm. Roby of 
Boston my Company from Watertovvn to Sudbury. 

19. Engaged in my preparations. N. B. I cast a hand- 
ful or two of Salt into my Pump. 

20. On Luke 16 23 p. m. repeated Sermon on Heb. 12. i. 
At evening visited Mr. Stephen Fay who was very low, &c. 

21. The small matter of Salt which I cast into my 
Pump on y^ 19th wonderfully loosened the Spire though it 
had been hard frozen for a long time ( See Downs' ) and to 
our Joy and Pleasure had the use of y^ Pump again. Very 
pleasant weather. 

22. A number of Hands came to get wood. Mr. Grout 
with his Team, Mr. Tainter^ with his and Mr. Harrington 



1 Simou Tainter, and his son Simon, Jr., were always good friends 
of Mr. Parkman. The father in his will styles himself " gentle- 
man " and bequeaths his "silver cup," valued in the inventory at 
£1, 6s. 8d., to his grandson Simon. He died in 1763 and Mr. Park- 
man writes in his journal under date of April 2 : " My dear friend 
and brother. Deacon Simon Tainter Dyd ! He expired about 11 
,.\. M. May God Sanctify this death in a peculiar manner to me 
and mine. Tho my good deacon is gone, yet Cod who is All- 
vSuflficient lives and is unchangeable." And April 5 he writes: " I 
read Isac. 51. Preached A. m., on the occasion of the .Sorrowful 
Death on i Thess. 4-18, read also 14, but could not handle that." 
"His Duty," says the Boston Evening Post— in a piece probably 
written by Mr. Parkman, " was manifested by his high regard to 
the house of God, his constant attendance there, his esteem of the 
ordinance and ministers thereof. 

" His deeds of Charity were unstinted, his heart and hands being 
ever open, to relieve and help, and to supplj' the necessitous, 
who now deplore the loss of such a friend and father." 

Simon, Jr., was born in 1715. 



12 DIARY OF REV. KBENEZHR PARKMAN. 

with his, Mr. Grow, Daniel Hardy, Dan. Forbush, Elias 




KA. T.\INTER'.S HOUSE. 



Mr. Parkinan's later Journals are full of instances of Dea. 
Tainter's kindness to liim — breaking in an unruly mare, killing, 
with his son's help, cattle or hogs, inviting him and his wife' to 
dinner, when " they had dressed a very large Pigg to entertain us," 
sending him fresh meat and wood, a bottle of Madeira, or a few 
oysters from Boston, selling divers sorts of edibles for Mrs. Park- 
man in the Boston markets, ploughing, sowing and reaping, and 
helping him in a thousand ways, and the pastor writes : " I hope 
he does all sincerely and as to the Lord, for I am utterly unworthy, 
but this conduct must quicken me to endeavor to deserve it. I\Iay 
Cod reward him with Abundant Special Blessings." 

He lived on Mt. Pleasant Street, in the house now known as the 
Wadsworth house. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 3 

Rice, Noah Rice, James Fay, James Bowman, Zebuloii 
Rice, Solomon Rice, John Rogers, Tim. Warren, Jon". For- 
bush jun., Thomas Winchester, David Baverick, Eben' 
Nurse, Simon Tainter jun., and Samuel Bumpso. 

23. Very stormy. Rain and Wind, especially very 
Windy in y^ Night. N. B. Sister Hicks another son, 
born a little before night. 

24. Had sent to Mr. Prentice of Gralton ^ and very 
much depended upon him to preach my Lecture, but he 

^ Rev. Solomon Prentice — ordained as minister of the Grafton 
Church in 1731. "He became," says Rev. Peter Whitney, "what 
was called in that day a zealous new light, or more properly, a 
raving enthusiast." He died in 1773, leaving a will in which he 
provided that his wife vSarah, is to live in his house, and have all 
his household goods and furniture and indore movables; his rid- 
ing chair and horse which is to be well kept for her, summer and 
winter, and replaced if he fails ; her firewood cut at her door ; as 
much cider as she shall have occasion to use in the house ; full and 
free liberty to put up a friend's horse or horses, to hay in winter 
and grass in summer, when they come to visit her, &c. All to be 
provided by Solomon, Jr., for her sole use and benefit during her 
natural life. ^15 to be paid her annuallj^ by my sons. 

Mr. Parkmau was acquainted with Mr. Prentice before he came 
to Grafton, and with two other ministers signs a paper recommend- 
ing him to the gospel ministry " when it shall please God to engage 
him in it and heartily pray he may prove a blessing to the 
churches." This was in 1731. 

Mr. Prentice built for himself a house in Grafton, which after his 
death was occupied by Rev. Aaron Hutchinson, and later by Rev. 
Daniel Grosvenor ; Mr. Parkman doubtless was a frequent visitor 
to each of its owners. It was moved from its first location and 
now forms the front of Mr. Henry Prentice's house on Oak Street, 
having come at last again into the family of the Rev. Solomon. 



14 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

failed. I repeated Sermon on Heb. 7.25. A very cold day — 
very .slippery — few at Lecture. Heard by Cousen Winches- 
ter y' Sister Ruth Champney at Cambridge was sick. 

25. A very cold day again. Ensign Ward of Marl- 
borough here to obtain my Evidence of what the Associa- 
tion which met at Framingham Oct. 16, 1733 judged 
concerning Mr. Kent. At eve I gave my Testimony, 
confirmed by an Oath before Justice Keyes. Ensign Ward 
being there present. 

26. At eve came Dr. .Thyery but he would go and lodge 
at Ensign Maynard's. 

27. A. M. on 2 Cor : 13. 14. Sacrament. Dr. Thyery & 
Deacon Fay and his wife dind with me. p. m. on Mat : 7. 
3. 4. 5. Dr. Thyery at eve, but was called away to visit 
Stephen Fay. 

28. The weather was very Raw Cold. The Wind was 
north and very bleak. I visited Mr. Beeman's^ Family & 
Mr. David Brigham.^ The Dauter of y*^ former and y^ 
Wife of y^ Latter were ill. 

Mons"" Thyery came to my house p. m. and I had some 
Expectations of Mr. Prentice of Grafton, and his wife to 
visit me, but y>' did not come. The Dr. spent y^ evening 
and good part of y*^ night with me, but presently after he 
got to Bed came Simon Tainter jun. upon a most urgent 

I The Beeniati family lived 011 the Flanders road. David Brig, 
ham's house stood about 60 yards east from where the Hospital 
now stands. His farm comprised about 500 acres. His house was 
burned Oct. 16, of this year (see entry for that day). He rebuilt 
the house with the help of his sou Jonas, who after his father's 
death lived in it. 



DIARV OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 5 

message from Stephen Fay/ to have the Dr. visit him forth - 
vi'ith. Hovi'beit he would not rise till he had taken several 
naps. I did not get to bed till past Three o'clock. N. B. 
Town Meeting to add to y^ Seats in y'^ Meeting House. 

March, 1737. 

I. It had been very Icy and now by a snow upon y'= Ice 
& it was very Slippery & Troublesome riding. I rode to 

1 Stephen Fay, in spite of this severe illness, and lack of atten- 
tion on the part of Dr. Thyery, lived many years. He was the son 
of Capt. John Fay and was born May 5, 1715. He lived in West- 
borough until 1743 when he moved from town, and later became 
one of the first settlers of Bennington, Vt. He built the first tav- 
ern west of the Green Mts., a house which had a stirring history 
during the Revolution. He had five sons in the Battle of Ben- 
nington, and Peter Fay, of Southborough, tells the following 
touching account of his learning after the battle that his oldest 
son John had been instantly killed by a ball through the head. 

" A messenger was sent to bear the solemn tidings to Capt. F'ay 
as gently as possible. He told him he had something bad to tell 
him concerning one of his sous. The Captain instantly asked 
him : 

" ' Did he disobey orders? Or desert his post ? ' 

"'No.' 

" ' Did he falter in the charge ? ' 

" ' No, worse than that. He is dead,' was the answer. 

"' Then it is not worse,' exclaimed the father. 'Bring him in, 
that I may once more gaze on the face of my darling boy.' 

"And when they brought him in, covered with dust and blood, he 
called for water and a sponge, and with his own hand bathed the 
disfigured features ; declaring at the same time that he had never 
experienced a more glorious or happy day in his life." 



i6 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



to Mr. Cook's^ to fix my Horse. Called at Capt. For- 
bush's.' 

2. Sister Lyclia rode down to Cambridge with me. N. B. 
We sat out somewhat before lo A. m., rode dottble, yet got 
to Father Champney's at Cambridge promptly at 5 p. m. 
N. B. Mr. John Jarvis was returning from his journey to 
Marlborough, whither he had been to wait upon Mrs. Han- 

' Cornelius Cook, the l)lacksiiiitli, was living at this time in the 
house still standing on the corner of East-Main and Lyman streets. 
This house was deeded to Cook, by his father-in-law, Thomas For- 
bush, in 1732, with four acres of laud, for /,"4. 5s. Cornelius was 
the father of the famous Tom Cook. (See Aug. 27, 1779.) 










01,]) COOK HOUSE. 



He had eight other children: Jonathan, the oldest, was the father 
of Molly Cook, almost as well known for her eccentricities as her 
uncle Thomas. 

-Capt. Forbush was Samuel Forbush, and he lived in the house 
now standing on the corner of Lyman Street and the Turnpike. The 
house has been enlarged since his day, but is probably the oldest 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



17 



nah Breck, who made a visit yesterday to her sister Mrs. 
Gott in her ilhiess. 

From Father Champney's I rode to Roxbury, called at 
Mr. Increa.se Sumner's. Thence I rode to Boston, waited 
upon my mother, and then went and Supped at Br'" Elias's. 
N. B. Mr. Bowman y«^ wharfinger and his wife at Supper 
with us. My Horse sent to his Stables. Lodged at Br'' 
Elias's. 

in town. For manv years it was used as a tavern. vSamuel For- 




S^*!»« 



SAMUEL FORBUSH'S HOUSE. 

l)ush was a brother of Thomas, both of them being among the orig- 
inal settlers of Westborough. 



1 8 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

3. Mr. Mather^ Lectured on agaiust Covetousness. 

Dined at Br. Samuel's, p. :\i., visited Mrs. Pierpont, Mrs. 
Hannah being at Marlborough. Mr. Pierpont also had taken 
a Journey to New haven. Towards night I rode over to 
Roxbury. N. B. Mrs. vSumner ill. I proceeded to Capt. 
Sharp's. By Capt. Sharp's .strong Solicitation I tarried all 
night. N. B. Mrs. Susan not very willing to think of 
going so farin y^ Country as Westborough, &c &c »&:c. 

4. I rode to Father Champney's. Thence I went over 
to y^ Town. N. B. Mr. Jonathan Monnef. Jun'. at Father 
Champney's. I returned p. m. from Town and went again 
to Capt, Sharp's. N. B. Capt. Sharp & Mm. gone to the 
Funeral of a Relation at Roxbury. I tarried whilst the Capt, 
and his Spouse came home. Arguments which be fruitless 
with Mrs. Susan. I returned to Father Champney's between 
8 & 9 in y^ Evening. 

5. Sister Lydia was willing to go up again to Westborough 
with me if y^ weather would allow. Upon her mentioning 
her carrying up .some other Coloured clothes y" her black, 
and our putting off our Mourning it (by Degrees) moved 
me very much and my Passions flowed almost beyond Con- 
troll, till I was obliged to retire away. Every matter was 
most exceeding Sorrowful to me. — The weather was very 

1 Probably Rev. Samuel Mather, the son of Cotton Mather. He 
was the fourth pastor of the dynasty of the Mathers over the Old 
North Church. In 1765, he was living in Moon St., and Gov. 
Hutchinson took refuge in his house when his own elegant man- 
sion was sacked by a mob. 

He died June 27, 1785, aged seventy-six, and is l)uried on Copp's 
Hill, in the Mather Tomb with Increase and Cotton. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 9 

discouraging to Sister Lydia's Design, nor could she in pru- 
dence venture tho I tarryed for her till 1 1 when I sat out. 
It rained and I had a very wet troublesome Journey. I rode 
over y^ new Bridge in Sudbury & went to Capt. Clark's^ of 
Framingham. The Waters flow abundantly, Ice rotts away, 
y^ Snow melts again, y^ Rain beats and y^ Storm strong. 
Capt. Clark very urgent to have me stay, but I was resolute 
to get as far as I could. I called at Mr. Stone's at Southbor- 
ough, and about nine at night reached home D. O. M. Gratia. 

6. Repeated Sermon on Acts, 2. 37. 38. Dr. Thyery at 
meeting. 

7. Dr. Thyery visited me and dind with me. I prayed 
with y^ Town before y^^'' Elections. Mr. Prentice of Graf- 
ton visited me. & note well y* y^ Day I went from home 
last week both he and his wife came to see me, just after we 
were gone. A very fine pleasant Day. 

8. Cloudy. Some Snow. N. B. Many of y^ People 
gone to Sudbury about Housetonic Rights. 

9. The water everywhere exceeding high. Visit Mr. 
Sam Fay, & Stephen Fay. 

10. The Winds more than ordinarily violent. A Barn 
was blown down at Framingham. A man narrowly escaped 
drowning at Framingham River. The water being so deep, 
y*^ Current so strong and y^ Winds so impetuous. 

^Capt. Isaac Clark, of Framingham, was a uoted man in his day. 
He commanded a company of troopers which was out in Father 
Raile's War in 1725, and on his one hundredth birthday rode horse- 
back to and from Col. Trowbridge's. He lived to be one hundred 
and two, and died in 1768. His gravestone says: " His offspring 
that descended from him was two hundred and fifty-one." 



20 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

II. Divers Neighbours (Mr. Maynard, Mr. Grout & Mr. 
Clias. Rice), here in y*^ Evening. Catechizing, but only 4 
bo>s, beside my own. No catechizing p. m. no children came. 

12. 

13. A. M. on Matt: 7. 6. and p. m. repeated vSermon 46 be- 
ing y- 4th on Act 2, 37, 38. 

14. I visited Stephen Fay, Capt. Fay and old Mr. Rice.' 
David went away. 

15. Early in y^ morning to Mr. Wipples &c. At noon I 
was extremely indisposed. Faint &c. Storm, snow. p.m. 
Dr. Thyery here, I grew better. D. G. 

16. Dies. Humill. & Proc. Secret. See my own Mem- 
oirs. At eve, Mr. Whipple. N. B. An ewe y' was gored 
very ill — fine pleasant Day. Roads extremely hollow. Some 
of the oldest persons declare y>' scarce ever knew y^ Earth 
to have been so frozen as this winter. 



M'robably Thomas Rice, who was at this time eighty-three years 
old. He had formerly lived on the same road as the Fays, iu the 
house which had earlier served for many years as a garrison, and 
near which occurred the sad tragedy of 1704, when two of his sons 
and two of his nephews were carried into captivity, while his young- 
est little boy was killed by the attacking Indians. 

Thomas was one of the original settlers of the town and one of 
its most prominent citizens. He served in the Legislature, and did 
his best to promote the welfare of the Church and town during a 
long life. He died in 1748. 

The liouse of Mr. Frank V. Bartlelt now stands on the site of his 
old home. This place he had sold, and .\bner Newton was living 
there in 1737, when his dwelling-house was entered in the night-time 
by Hugh Henderson, who paid the penalty of his crime with his 
life in November, as recorded in the Journal for that month. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 21 

17. A. M. Storm of snow. Rain. Trouble with my sick 
ewe. Mr. Whipple to Boston. 

18. P. M. I rode to Marlborough to Coll. Wood's. Eve 
at Dr. Gott's/ Mrs Gott had been very ill, but is recovering. 
Mrs. Hannah Breck ivith her, but I spent my time with 
ye men, scil. y«^ Dr. Coll. & Mr. Daniel Steward. Late in 
y^ Evening Deacon Woods came to request me to visit a 
young woman at his House (Dauterof Mr. Samuel Stow) 
apprehended to be at y^ Point of Death. I went, prayed 
with her &c. I lodged at Coll. Wood's. 

19. A. M. To Dr. Gott's, but a short space with Mrs. 
Hannah. At my Request, she had (she assured me) burnt 
my Letters, Poems &c. P. M. Funeral of Capt. Eleazar How. 
Capt. Brigham informed of y^ Death of President Wads- 
worth, y^ Night before last, also lately Part of Northampton 
Meeting-House fell and wounded many, in time of Divine 
Service, and y^ Burning ot Young Coll. Chandler's House 
at Woodstock, and three persons consumed in it, scil, Mrs. 



iDr. Benj. Gott, a young physician in Marlborough, had married 
Sarah, daughter of the Rev. Robert Breck. Hannah was a younger 
sister, at this time being twenty-one years old. Her father had 
been a good friend of Mr. Parkman, when he first came to West- 
borough, and was a remarkable man. He was ordained pastor 
when twenty-two. "As to his learning," says a writer in the 
News Letter for January 21, 1731, " I suppose it will be no offence 
to say, there were few of his standing that were even his equals. 
He was such a master of the learned languages that he could, and 
did, frequently, to the capacity of his family, read a Chapter of the 
Hebrew Bible into English, and the Greek was still easier to him. 
Pride, hypocrisy and affectation were his aversion ; and covetous- 
ness was what he was a perfect stranger to. His temper was grave 



22 DIARY OF REV. EBENKZER PARK:MAX. 

Wright, her son and a man who was asleep with him. I 
returned home. At eve, Dr. Thiery at my house in great 
Urgency going to Bcston for Drugs, to relieve Stephen Fay, 
no persuading him to y^ Contrary altho y'^ Roads are ex- 
treme bad, the night Dark &c. N. B. A piece of Cotton 
Linnen of 12 yds. from Mr. Carullis. 

20. On Matt , 7: 7, 8. P. M. on Matt., 7: 9, 10, 11. 

21. I visited Stephen Fay — wasaty*^ Capt.'s, find Thyery 
is not a man of Truth or Probity. At Cousin Winchester's, 
&c. 

22. Rain & Cloudy. Visited old Mr. Ward's Family, 



and thoughtful , yet cheerful at times, especially with his friends and 
acquaintances, and his conversation entertaining and agreeable." 

Mr. Parkman and Mistress Hannah were married September 11, 
1737 — all her objections finally overcome. A piece of her wedding 
dress, and her wedding slippers are still treasured by Mrs. Tuck- 
erman. The dress is a heavy, white gros grain silk^the bodice evi- 
dently made with many rows of stitching, between which were run 
strips of cane. 

The slippers are of brocaded silk— a green ground with figures in 
yellowish white and various shades of red — the heels are high, cov- 
ered with the silk, and they are lined with a coarse linen. 




HANN.\H BRECK'S WEDDINO SUPPERS. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PAKKMAN. 25 

reckoned with Mr. Josiah Newton. Rainj' — came home in 
y'^ Night & in y^ Rain. 

23. Cold northerly wind. p. m. visited old David Mon- 
anaozv} Indian, he tells me he was 104 last Indian Harvest. 
Says the name of Bosfon was not Shaivnmt but Shanwazv- 
mnck. Channcy Pond was called Nawgawwoomcom and 

Marlboro', ■. N. B. Mr. Seth Rice here about 

this time to discourse with me on y^ life of his sister 
Thankf. I visited Mr. D. Brigham's family, and old Capt. 
Byles. 

24. Froze hard again last night. Cold windy day. 

25. I rode to Marlb., din'd with Mr. Hovey at Mm. 
Fish's. Spent y*^ afternoon at Dr. Gott's — was at y^ Coll.'s, 
but returned to Dr. 's. Mr. Hovey there with a Bass Viol. 
N. B. Mrs. H. h B k at y^ Dr.'s still. Our con- 



1 After King Philip's War, some of the Marlborouprh Indians who 
had been taken prisoners and confined on the islands in Boston 
harbor, returned to their ohl homes. 

"Among those who returned," says Rev. Dr. Allen, of North- 
borough, "was David alias David Munnanaow, who joined Phili]3 
and, as he afterwards confessed, assisted in the destruction of Med- 
field. This treacherous Indian had, it is said, a slit thumb, which 
circumstance led to his conviction. . . . 

"His wigwam was on the borders of the pond near the public 
house long known as Williams' Tavern, where he lived with his 
family manj' years and died in extreme old age." 

The last members of David's family still made their homes in 
the field by the pond, within the memory of many persons now 
living. Until very lately, an extremely old chestnut has been 
pointed out as the tree under which these Indians had their wig- 
wam. It was called the Wigwam Tree. At last, like old David 
himself, it has succumbed to extreme old asje. 



25 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

versation of a piece with what it used to be. I mark her 
admirable Conduct, her Prudence and wisdom, her good 
manners & her distinguishing Respectfulness to me w'^ ac- 
company her Denyals. x\fter it grew late in y^ Even'g, I 
rode home to Westb., through the Dark and the Dirt, but 
cheerfully and comfortably (comparatively). N. B. My 
Family all abed. 

26. I had appointed to ride to Grafton in order to 
changing with Mr. Prentice tomorrow, but it proved so very 
Rainy all day that it was unpracticable. 

27. Fair and pleasant Day. Matt. 7: 12 A. m., but P. m. 
repeated Sermon II, Acts 2: 37, 3S. N. B. Mr. Silas 
Brigham ^ and Mr. Eleazar Pratt of Shrewsbury had desired 
me to baptize y*^'"^ Children. Accordingly, in my usual 
manner I desired y^ Children might be brought forth to 

^ Mr. Silas Brigham, so unfortunately tardy this Sunday morning 
— had married Mindwell Grout, and the baby Jemima born four 
days before this, was their first child. She married Constantine 
Hardy. 

Mr. Eleasar Pratt lived near Wild Cat Swamp, and was after- 
wards set off to Westborough. His baby, Sarah, was nearly six 
months old, and he hardly deserved so much more credit as Mr. 
Parkman would seem to give him, for he had his good wife Ru- 
hamali to get the baby attired in its best frock, with the deftness 
which the care of the three older children had given her. 

Poor Silas Brigham, and poor Mindwell ! How the)- must have 
worried, and how flushed his young face must have been when 
he marched down the aisle, after all the hurry, to have his pride 
in his farst-born so humbled by the Minister's censure ! 

The Church Records sa}^ under date of April 3, 1737 : " Jemima 
of Silas and Mindwell Brigham baptized by Rev. Mr. Prentice of 
Grafton." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 27 

Baptism. But only one appeared. I looked about till I 
conceived y^ something had befallen y^ other or those con- 
cerned with it. I proceeded and baptized Mr. Pratt's (w'^ was 
ye Child yt was brought) w"^ the prayers were over we 
proceeded to y^ last Singing ; in y^ Time of y^ last Sing- 
ing Mr. Brigham and his Child came in— After y^ Bless- 
ing and w": I was down in y^ Alley going out, Mr. Brig- 
ham asked me whether his child could not be baptized. I 
ans'd, it could not now. My Reasons are these. Besides 
that, when I am spent with the foregoing Services, it is too 
much to expect me to repeat over y'" again. Besides that, 
such a custom indulged would involve us in great irregu- 
larity and Difficulty, but this administration for my known 
Friends would have forced me to make it a custom, and 
besides the impatience of many of the Congregation to get 
away home, being they live 4, 5. or 6 miles off. Besides 
those Reasons, I would urge y* it was so very sudden upon 
me y^ I could not iudge w*^ way I could vindicate it if I 
should proceed. Again, by y« suddenness I was too much 
confused to have my Power at command to perform the 
Devotions ; nor was I furnished therefor (Eccl. 5:1,2). So 
yt it would have been nothing short of horrible Presump- 
tion for me to have done it.— Lydia Cutting not well. 

28. Lydia worse, having a bad Ague in her face & it 
threw her wholly by ; but it was so ordered in Providence, 
yt Deborah Ward came to see us and she served us. 

Adjournment of Town Meeting. N. B. B'' Hicks had 
been chosen Constable, but gets oft by virtue of a Commis- 
sion to be Deputy Sheriff. (David Baverick diets here.) 

29. Very Rainy. Lydia worse, considerable Fever. 



28 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Benj. How with David at his work and din'd with us. 
Neither of y"' to be persuaded to go for Dr. Gott for Lydia. 
Jon" Rogers came to go, but we did not send. 

30. Lydia somewhat better, very fine weather. 

31. Publick Fast. I preached on Lsa : 1,9. N. B. Mr. 
Abr"' Amsden of Marlb. here to desire me to attend the 
Funeral of his Br'' Thomas' only Son, a youth near 21, and 
very hopeful, who died after a short illness of but a few 
Days. O y' I and y' y'-" people of We.stb. , at least some of 
y'" might be of that small Remnant w'^ God has left of 
truely Godly Ones ! and O y^ we might have Grace to 
Demean and to acquit ourselves as such ; and y' it might 
please God to keep off His Judgments y*^ this Land ma\- 
not be made as Sodom or like unto Go)?io})ah , but y^ y" 
Div. Mercy might be afforded to us as we need it & y' 
Glory ma\' vet Dwell in our Laud ! 



April, 1737. 

I. I rode down to Marlb. to y*^ Funeral of Joseph Ams- 
den's. Man}- youth present and .seem to be affected. O 
yt yere niight be abiding impression on y^^"" souls ! and upon 
all of us. This is y*^ second Death in that near Neighbourhood 
of youth in Flower and Glory within a very little while. 
N. B. This Joseph Amsden was one of y*^ Bearers of y^' 
other, .sell, y*^ young woman y*^ Dyed at Deacon James 
Wood's on y'' lytli of last month. — After Burial I returned 
to Capt. Amsden's to afford him w^ consolation I could un- 
der his melancholy circumstances. N. B. Coll. Woods 
with me. N. B. Capt. Nathan Brigham gave further ac- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 29 

counts of y" Fury of y Mob at Boston^ — assaulting y Town 

House &c. At Eve, I was at Dr. Gotts, Mrs. H h was 

thought to be gone up to Mr. Week's or Capt. Williams, 
with design to lodge there, but she returned to y^^ Doctors. 
And she gave me her Company till it was very late. Her 
Conversation was very Friendly, and with divers expressions 
of Singular and Peculiar Regard. Mcmorand'" . Oscul: 
But she cannot yield to being a step mother. — I lodged there, 
and with g""' satisfaction & Composure. — 

Memorand'". Ebenezer has begun to learn his 2. Acci- 
dence" and now makes a Business of it. 

September, 1737. 

w^ were upon y'^'"' journey to Connecticut came to .see 

us, dind with us and prevented us (altho Sister Eydia and 
Mrs. Bekky were gone already as Earnest of our Going) 
till so late in y'^ p. m., then y*^ Rain coming also y^ we were 
utterly disappointed. 

21. We rode to Cousen Winchester, but they being gone 
& other neighbors also to Worcester, we struck along up to 

iprom Boston News Letter for April i, 1737 : — " On Thursday 
Night the 24 instant, the middle Market House in this Town, to- 
gether with several Butchers' Shops near the same, were cut, pulled 
down and entirely demolished by a number of persons unknown : 
and several posts of the North Market House were also sawn asun- 
der the same Night." 

In consequence of which Gov. Phipps issued a proclamation offer- 
ing a reward of oue hundred pounds for the detection of any of the 
ringleaders. 

-The 2. Accidence was a small book containing the rudiments of 
scramniar. 



30 DIARY OF REV. EBENKZER PARKMAN. 

Mr. Prentice's at Grafton. N. B. Their son Nath.l's fin- 
ger had been wounded, the Top of one of his Fingers being 
cut off. N. B. Mrs. Sartel of Groton there. Called at 
Capt. Fa\''s as we returned home in ev'g.— 

22. Visited Capt. Eager's wife^ who had been some time 
sick. 

23. John Clung so urgent for his money (bee. of his 
journey to Pensylvania y' I was obliged to ride about to 
gather it, till I succeeded at Treasurer Newton's. 

24. Message from John Hamilton under condemnation 
for Burglary requesting y' I would visit him. N. B. Lydia 
sick and my wife burthened with y*^ Business of y" Family. 
N. B. Fire raging in y" Bushes on y*^ west side of Powder 
Hill, drie by y^ Drought and y'' Frost and y'^ Wind very 
high. — Br. Hicks alone there, till I assisted him, & we suc- 
ceeded. D. G. 

25. Mr. Pierpont came to us this morning, having come 
from Boston but a little before sunset last even'g. N. B. 
News y' the vessel in w*' his Goods were had struck upon 
Martha's Vineyard, but had got off again : he (as he can ) 
pursues his journej^ to see in what condition y>' are at New 
Haven. A. m. I Repeated on i Chron. 26. 9. p. m. I 
preached on i Pet. 3. 7. 

26. Mr. Pierpont and his wife left us. I with my wife 
accompanied y"' to Shrewsbury. I still continued with y'" 

1 Capt. Eager was one of the first settlers in that part of West- 
borough which afterwards became Northborough. His house was 
the first built on the New Connecticut Road, between Sam'l Good- 
enow's Garrison and the Town of Worcester. It was the first 
tavern opened in the place. He died in 1755. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 31 

as far as Worcester and dined with them at Capt. Howard's. 
p. M. having taken leave of those Excellent Friends, I rode 
to Mr. Burr's/ not finding him at home, I hastened to y" 
Prison to see y'^ Criminal. Among other Questions, I asked 
him his true Name. ? he answered Hugh Henderson, he 
acquainted me with his Birth and Baptism &c. He was 
much concerned and distres.sed about his state, and ready to 
confess himself a great Sinner &c I prayed Vv^ith him. He 
requested I would come and see him again. I hastened to 
Shrewsbury and with my wife, returned in the evening. 
N. B. John McClung took leave of us. 

27. We took up our Flax. We supped at Br.' Hicks's. 

28. I was much indisposed wi.th Headache. 



1 Rev. Isaac Burr was settled over the Old South Church iu Wor- 
cester in 1725. Mr. Chas. E. Stevens writes : "No portraiture of 
his person or mind survives ; no characteristic anecdote is on 
record and nothing testifies of his ministry save its continuance 
for a fifth of a century in a generally peaceful way." Mr. Burr 
lived on the south corner of Main and Pleasant streets. His house 
was afterwards removed to Blackstone Street, where it stood until 
a few years ago. The little sketch of it made for Mr. Caleb Wall's 
Reminiscences of Worcester, by " an accurate and experienced 
artist," as he writes, is the only picture of this house in existence. 



— RtK. ISAAC BVRR'l]t4 
HOUSE OF RKV. ISAAC liUKK. 



32 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

29. Lectured on i Sam. 15. 22. At eve Mr. Jarvis 
came from Boston. 



30. 
I. 



October 1737. 



2. Sacrament. Ps. 63. 8. Repeated on I.s. 53. i. 
Patience Forb. came again 

3. Catechised at y'' Meeting House. Judge Dudle}- ^ on 
his return from Springfield made us a visit, and dind with 
us. Lydia Cutting left us. 

1 Paul Dudley, afterwards Chief Justice of the Province, at this 
time a judge of the Superior Court, born is 1675, died in 1751. 
He was the son of Gov. Joseph Dudley, of Massachusetts. He 
studied law in London. He bequeathed ^'100 (about |666) to Har- 
vard College for the support of an annual lecture, called, from its 
founder, the Dudleian lectures. He was a Fellow of the Royal 
Society, and wrote on natural history and against the Church of 
Rome. 

Seven years after this visit to Mr. Parkman, Judge Dudley had 
the famous " Dudley parting-stone" erected in Roxbury, where it 
still stands, with the inscription which has guided so many trav- 
ellers for more than a hundred and fifty years, 

" The Parting vStone. 1744. P.Dudley." 

And on one side, " Dedham and Rhode Island," on the other, 
" Cambridge and Watertowu." 

He had been Speaker of the House and member of the Executive 
Council. Judge Sewall writes of him: "Thus, while with pure 
hands and an upright heart he administered justice in the Circuit 
thro' the I'rovince, he gained the general esteem and veneration of 
the people." 

The town of Dudley is named " in token of respect to William 
and Paul Dud lev." 




PAUL DUDLEY. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 35 

4. Mr. Jarvis, Sister Lydia and I rode to Cambridge. 
Mrs. Suse Champuey there. Mr. Jarvis lodged with me at 
Father Champney's. N. B. I rode down to Mr. Dana's 
Tavern^ about my Wife's Trunk. 

5. Early this morning we rode to Mr. Dana's again, & 
saw y^ Trunk in good order, in y^ Team to be transported 
up,, and then we proceeded to Boston. Dined at Br"". Elias's. 



1 Dana's Tavern stood near the centre of the town of Brookline 
and was a famous hostelry for many years. It was a large gambrel- 
roofed house and stood until 1816, when it was destroyed by fire. 

A story of the old tavern is given in Historic Sketches of Brook- 
line, by Harriet F. Woods, in which Tom Cook (see Journal, Aug. 
27. 1779) figures as chief actor. 

She writes: "There was a notorious thief, well known in 
Brookline and the adjoining towns by the name of Tom Cook. He 
had many eccentricities, among which was a habit of stealing from 
the rich to give to the poor. In horse-stealing he was especially 
expert. He was frequently arrested, convicted and sentenced to 
short terms of imprisonment at the 'Castle ' (now Fort Independ- 
ence), that being then the common prison for all offenders in 
Boston and vicinity. 

"On one occasion Tom stole a goose from a countryman's 
wagon, which was under the shed at Dana's Tavern; not, how- 
ever, with generous designs for any of his poor proteges, but for 
the satisfying of his own appetite. But as an uncooked goose 
would be about as unsatisfactory as no goose at all, Tom resorted 
to the old schoolhouse,— school not being in session, to cook and 
devour it." 

Squire Sharpe's house was nearest to the schoolhouse, and 
Squire Sharpe was a grandson of Capt. Robert, and a nephew of 
Mistress Susanna. 

"The Squire, with his sharp eye on the interests of the town, 
discovered a smoke arising from the schoolhouse chimney, and as 



36 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

My honored Mother in good health. D. G. I returned to 
Cambridge, found Mrs. Suse Champuey there still. 

N. B. 6. I sat out from Cambridge before Day — got to 
Harrington's before sun rising from there first at sunrise, 
but did not get up to Westb. till nigh one — visited Hannah 
Bond, who lay sick at Capt. Forb. after that dind at Home. 
Young men came to gather my Corn. Set y'" to work. 

Went to y'' private meeting at Mr. Towusend's & preached 
on 2 Pet: i. lo. visited Hannah Bond again — about i8 or 
20 hands husked out all my Corn. N. B. In ray absence 
Winter Apples gathered in. 

7. Mr. John Pratt brought home my cyder which he 
had made. 

8. Mr. Pratt brought home y*^ remainder of my cyder. 
vSusa Cutting came. 

9. I repeated my sermon IV upon Is. 53. i. from John 
10. 26. p. M. Sermon 11. on i. Sara. 15. 22 from Ps. 40. 6. 8. 

10. Visited Mrs. Dantforth who is in a languishing 
state. Was also at Mr. Hayward's & at Mr. Lock's. 

' where there is smoke, there must be fire,' he proceeded to recon- 
noitre and caught Tom in the very act of roasting the goose. Lay- 
ing the strong hand of the law upon him, he made him confess 
where he got the fowl and march back with it under his own 
escort to the Tavern, and, before the assembled inmates of the 
bar-room, gave him his choice to take then and there a public 
whipping, or be tried and sent to the Castle. Tom considered 
briefly and decided to take the ZL'hippini^. 

" The countrymen agreed, and flourished their long whips upon 
him with such vigor, that Tom's appetite for roast goose was 
abated in a summary manner, and the punishment proved more 
effectual than his various sojourns at the Castle." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 37 

11. Visited Mrs. Rogers who is sick, Hannah Bond and 
old Mrs. Pratt. N. B. overtook some Travellers on Foot 
with y*^" Muskets : one of em very unmannerly and saucy. 
— p. M. Mr. Tozer and his wife here, old Mr. Rice visited 
us. John Clung here. 

12. I went to Worcester to see Hugh Henderson, found 
him in much y same distressed state y* I left him in, but I 
hope more knowing and acquainted with his Condition and 
with his Duty. N. B. Mr. Burr at y^ Goal with me. I 
prayed with him — a multitude — attending. He earnestly 
desired me to see him again and wishes over and over y' I 
would preach to him. 

N. B. When I called at Mr. Cushing's as I went up, 
Coll. Woods was there, on his return from Rutland. As I 
returned in the evening, y"^ rose a storm of Lightening and 
Rain. Mr. Lock came and carried in Corn. 

13. John Clung (who lodged here last night) carried in 
more of y*^ Corn from y*^ Barn. Paid John y'^ whole and he 
bid farewell. At evening Br"' Hicks helped in more Corn. 

14. Jon" Rogers got in Pumpkins, & y'^ remainder of y^ 
Corn. 

15. Noah How helped in with Turnips and some of y'^ 
Potatoes. 

At eve old Mr. Rice, Mr. Jarvis came up. 

16. Mat. 3, 1-4. John 16. 8. N. B. I was called away 
between 8 and 9 in y*^ morning to see old Capt. Byles, who 
was very bad with his Throat and at night I visited him 
again. N. B. The Congregation disturbed p. m. by y*^ 
burning of Mr. David Brigham's House but when people 
gathered in again, and were composed, I went on with y'' 



38 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

rest of my sermon. A very sorrowful Providence! a great 
Loss! but I trust y"' and all of us to profit by it, y' our 
Hearts may be taken off from temporal transitory Enjoy- 
ments. 

17. Rainy. Various Company all day and at evening, 
N. B. Mr. James Fay dind with us. N. B. Mr. Wheeler 
distressed in Conscience for H. Henderson. Capt. Williams 
from Marlboro. 

18. Visited Capt. Byles who is grown exceeding bad 
again. Visited y'^ wife of Wm. Rogers Jr. and proceeded 
to Mr. Brigham's to see their Desolations. A Sorrowful 
Sight! I de.sire heartily to sympathise. Returned to Capt. 
Byles. ^ He dyed this evening. N, B. Mr. Jarvis went 
to Boston in y'^ morning. N. B. Mr. Jon". Forbes" at my 
hou.se in y*^ Evening and after him Mess''^ Ed and Benj. 
Goddard. 

19. Mr. Brigham's son David fetched away divers things 
which we lent y'" in y'^'"' necessity. Nathan Maynard p. M. 
digging Potatoes. 



^ Capt. Joseph Byles had married Rebecca Forbush, the sister of 
Jonathan, Samuel and Thomas Forbush. He lived on the south 
side of Chauncy Pond. He was one of the "first inhabitants." 

- Dea. Jonathan Forbes b. in Marlborough in 16S4 — married in 
1706, when he was a young man of twenty-two, a woman twice mar- 
ried, with a family of four children. At this time he was living 
near the present town reservoir. He was the first one of the family 
to write his name F'orbes — his other brothers, Samuel and Thomas, 
and their descendants, being always known by the name of For- 
bush. The Massachusetts Gazette of March 31, 1768, says : — " His 
life was exemplary ; his departure in the firm hope of a glorious 
immortality; his progeny numerous." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 39 

20. Funeral of Capt. Joseph Byles, my Spouse, Mrs. 
Richard Burrough and my Dauter Molly all there with me. 
The deceased was a bright example of Diligence and Indus- 
try in his calling, Constancy at y^ House of God, dihgent 
attention to y'' Worship and Word preached : Truth and 
Faithfulness to his word and exact Honesty in his Trading. 
To which add a singularly manly Heroic Spirit. Visited 
old Mrs. Pratt at Eve. Capt. Eager came home with us. 

21. Closely engaged in my preparations. At eve Br-^ 
William Parkman came from y'^ Council at Concord, which 
had voted Mr. Whiting unfit to sustain y*^ holy ministry 
and advised y*^ church of Concord to dismiss him, which y^ 
complied with. N. B. Mr. Francis Pierce here— finished 
with him about his Boards. N. B. My Br-" left us. Dr. 
Gott called in. — p. m. I rode to Shrewsbury and met with 
Mr. Burr at Mr. Cushing's.' I proceeded to Worcester and 

1 Rev. Job Gushing, the first minister of Shrewsbury, pastor of 
the church there from 1723 to his death in 1760. He was the father 
of Col. Job Gushing— also of Rev. John Gushing, who married in 
1769 Mr. Parkman's daughter Sarah. She lived to be eighty-two 
years of age and died in 1825. Mrs. Tuckerman writes of this 
daughter Sarah, as follows:—" My grandmother married Dr. John 
Gushing, of Ashburuham, who taught school in Westborough the 
year after he graduated from Harvard Gollege. He boarded in the 
minister's family, and when he was ordained, at the age of twenty- 
four, he came back and carried off the daughter as his bride. This 
wa§ in 1768. She was a remarkably bright and capable woman, 
judging from the family traditions. There were seven children in 
that large family younger than she, and she had so much to do 
that her mother could not spare her the time to go to school when 
it was kept at intervals. But she was ambitious to learn, and her 
father helped her all he could. She taught herself to write by 



40 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

stopped at y^ Goal at the Grates to speak with the Prisoner 
and to put him in mind of y^ preparations needful for him 
to make in order to his keeping his Last Sabbath. I lodged 
at Mr. Burr's. 

23. Early in y'= morning began to write my address to 
y"^ Prisoner. A. m on Eccl. 11.9a crowded as.sembly, poor 
Hugh Henderson present. P. m. on Job: 3. 36. a very 
great congregation, it being, in y'^" apprehension y*^ last 
vSabbath Sermon the poor Criminal is to hear. At even- 
ing called at Mr. Eaton's and at y^ Sheriff's', who went 
with me to y*" Pri.son. I interrogated y'^ Prisoner what 
was y'^ occasion of his coming to this country — whether he 
had discovered and acknowledged all that was fit and proper 
for him to reveal? Whether he had au}^ confederates? A 
great number flocked in y^ Goal when at his Request I 
prayed with him. I left him between 8 and 9. by that I 
came to Mr. Cushing's where I intended to lodge. Y> were 
all in Bed wherefore, though cold, I proceeded home to my 
own House. 

N. B. Mr. Jarvis came up last night in a chair. 

24. Mr. Burr left us early in y^ morning. P. m. Mr. 
Jarvis, my wife, Mrs. Bekky and I rode to y^ Great Pond, 
to Capt. Warren's, and Capt. Forbush's. N. B. Supped 
at Capt. Forb. 



copying letters with a piece of chalk on the baru floor, for paper 
and ink were precious in those da^-s, and not to be unduly wasted." 

The house where the Rev. Mr. Cashing lived stood east of the 
Shrewsbury Town Hall. 

' The first sheriff of Worcester County was Daniel Gookin, who 
held the office until 1743. 

He was a son of Gen'l Daniel Gookin. (.Wore. Hist.) 



DIARY OF REV. EBHNEZER PARKMAN. 4I 

25. Mr. Jarvis and Mrs. Bekky Burrough left us. I rode 
to Hopkinton Association, all y' came besides were Mr. N. 
Stone and Mr. S. Prentice. Mr. Barrett concio on i Pet. 4. 
II. If any man speaketh. 

26. Public lecture by Mr. Sol. Prentice on Job. 12. 35. 
first part. N. B. I had a very Sudden Turn of Sharp 
Pain in my Side after Dinner, but thro Mercy, I recovered. 

Mr. Prentice went home with me and lodged at our 
House. 

27. Rode with Mr. Prentice to Grafton and preached 
his Lecture on Jude 10. 21. Returned to Westboro at 
night. N. B. The Governor has reprieved Hugh Hen- 
derson for a month at the request of Mr. Burr and Mr. 
Prentice. 

28. Ah! what sad grounds of Severe Reflection upon 
myself for my wretched negligence and unfaithfulness! 
How great need of renewing and fixing my Resolutions of 
Reformation. But especially of crying unto God for par- 
don of what is past and Grace to assist and quicken me 
henceforward ! 

29. 

30. All day on Job,: 3. 36 Rain a. m. High winds at 
even. N. B. Mr. Chamberlain din'd with us. 

November 1737. 

I. Vi.sited Mr. Dantforth. 
2. 

3. Stormy. 

4. Very cold. 



42 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

5. I rode to Soiithboro'. Met Mr, Stone by Capt. 
Warren's. Very cold. Mr. Peabody and Mr. Moquet of 
Framingham here. 

6. Preached at Southborough, on Job,: 3. 36 a. & p. m. 
At eve, Coll. Ward and his wife came in to Mr. Stone's. 
N. B. Y'^ Coll. exceptions against that passage in my fore- 
noon sermon, p. 2-too Small for the Divine Oracle to have 
been exprest about either. 

7. At Mr. Tim Brigham's. Mr. Stone brought Mrs. 
Parkman to his House, we dind there, after which I rode 
to visit old Mrs. Morse at Marlboro', confined by her 
Broken Bone, and in great distress of mind, whilst Mr. 
Stone went with my wife up to Dr. Gott's. There we tar- 
ried all night. 

8. Called at Capt. Williams, and at Mr. Eb. Beeman's 
on our way home. p. m. Funeral of one of Mrs. Seth 
Rice's Dawters who dyed by a Quinsy. Rain. N. B. 
The Floor of y*^ Room at Mr. Rice's broke under us. 

9. Stormy. 

10. I rode to Mr. Wheeler's, called at Mr. Dantforth as 
I went, but dined at Mr. Wheeler's. N. B. Mr. Thos. 
Ward at Mr. Nathan Balls's. I was at Mr. Lawrence's, 
and at Mr. Gershom Fay's and at Mr. Collister's. N. B. 
Disappointment about Swine notwithstanding my long 
Dependence. 

1 1. We first tyed up our Cattle in y*^ Barn. My oxen 
were at work for Mr. David Brigham's to cart stones for y'^"' 
chimneys. I was at Mr. Grout's about Beef. 

12. Fine warm day. 

13. John 3. 36 & p. m. on Joh. 16. 8. Capt. Eager sick. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 43 

14. B"^ Hicks went to Cambridge upon my Horse. 

15. Trooping and Training— prayed with y^ foot before 
Dinner and dind with y'^ officers of both Hor.se and Foot- 
prayed with ye whole Body at eve. N. B. Capt. Eager 
detained by his sickness and Lieut. Baker ^ also absent. 
N. B. I wrote to Worcester by Capt. Moses Rice, being I 
could not visit y'^ Prisoner. 

16. B' Hicks came up with Sister Willard. 

17. Mr. Tainter came to me before Sunrise and informed 
me of a most Sudden and awful accident in y^'" neibour- 
hood. That the wife of Mr. Joshua Harrington (who 
came up with his Family to Dwell among us, but this Day 
three weeks) was Shot in the head last evening, a little 
before Sundown, by a servant named Ebenezer Chubb in 
his 15"' year, and she dyed upon the Spot. Mr. Tainter 
was going for y'= Coroner. Public Thanksgiving . Preached 
on Lev. 3. i. After y^ pubHck exercises, y'^ Coroner's In- 
quest sat on y'^ body of Mrs. Harrington and y*^'"^ verdict 
was Accidental Death. 



1 Lieut. Edward Baker was one of Mr. Parkman's first frieuds 
in Westborough, for he and James Eager had been the committee 
who brought him the news that he had been called to be the town 
minister. He was always prominent in town and church affairs, 
and chairman of the committee which built the old Arcade. 

He lived on Main Street, on the Pollard place, where his son, 
Squire Baker, afterwards had his home. He had ten children, of 
whom one, Joseph, born in 1736, was " the Squire." 

His house was moved and is now part of Mrs. Gleason's house. 

He died in 1763, and his stone still marks his last resting place 
in the old burying ground, although that of Persis his wife has 
long since disappeared. 



44 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

1 8. My wife and Sister were with me at y'^ funeral of 
Mrs. Harrington. 
19. 

20. Sacrament. Joh: 16. S, repeated. Mat. 10. 29. 30 
p. M. N. B. Mrs. Trewsdale of Newton, mother of Mrs. 
Harrington, above mentioned, dind with us. 

21. I rode up to Worcester to see Hugh Henderson 
again. Was sorry to find he had tried to make his escape 
by fihng the Goal ^ door. We talked more of other matters, 
and kept longer off from y'' main point of his case y" here- 
tofore. I'm more put to it to judge of his Frame. Mr. 
Burr came to me, requested me to preach to him on Wednes- 
day. Hugh desires it of me, and several of the people re- 
peatedly and urgently insist and plead for it. I prayed 
with the prisoner and took leave at about seven o'clock. 
N. B. his Discourses of y^ Jury, not going by the laws of 
God & y'' Country in Condemning him, having but Cir- 
cumstantial Evidence. As to Newton, he offered him all 
reasonable Satysfaction &c: But he added, that he was 
guilty, and his many sins had provoked God to anger 
&c: — 

1 The goal or jail where Hugh Henderson was confined stood on 
the west side of Lincoln Street, a short distance from Lincoln 
Square. It was a building fortj'-one feet by eighteen. "The 
prison part," writes Caleb Wall, "was eighteen feet square, made 
of white oak timber set with studs, four inches thick and five 
inches broad, and floored, roofed and ceiled with two-inch planks 
spiked together. A stone dungeon was underneath. The north 
end of the structure, finished as a dwelling, afterwards became 
part of the old ' Hancock Arms.'" Probably at this time it was 
the dwelling-house of the jailer, Luke Brown. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 45 

I called at Mr. Gushing' s and supped there. Thence 
I rode home. 

22. Deacon Miles of Concord here to bring the Request 
of >'*= Church y' I would assist in y"^ Fast y>' have appointed 
in order to y"^ Calling another Minister. 

23. The wife and younger son of Mr. Increase Ward 
very bad. I visited y'" and old Mrs. Pratt a. m. p. m. I 
rode up to Worcester at the Request of y'' Criminal and 
others to preach to him. There were so many at y'^ Goal 
y' we were obliged to go to y^ Meeting-House. I preached 
on I Tim. i. 15. Supped (with Mr. Campbell) at Deacon 
Hay wards. ^ We visited y'^ Prisoner. He spoke of having 
a solemn warning taken from his mouth, but chose to have 
it deferred to y*^ morning, but prayed I would be early. 
We lodged at Mr. Burr's. 

24. I went to the Prisoner as early as I could, and Mr. 
Burr was with me to assist in penning down what y^ Pris- 
oner - had to deliver by way of Confession and Warning to 

1 Daniel Haywood, one of the first deacons of the Old South 
Church in Worcester. He kept the first tavern in that town— he, 
his son, and grandson keeping for nearly a hundred years a hotel 
on the site of the Bay State. This old hotel is still standing in 
Worcester, having been moved years ago to the southeast corner 
of Salem and Madison streets. 

-The sad story of Hugh Henderson we learn from these dying 
confessions, which, together with a poem on his untimely death, 
were published as a broadside and sold as a warning to all youth. 

He was of Scotch-Irish descent and came to Massachusetts about 
1735, and for two years indulged his wicked practices, when he 
was arrested and convicted of breaking and entering the house of 
Abner Newton, of Westborough, who lived at this time in the old 
Thomas Rice garrison. (See note for March 14, 1737.) 



46 



DIAKY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



OEM 

1 by the tintimely|P^' 
' I Inj^hHcndcrfon} 
Man'jiltoa, who wasiJjJW*^^ 
''■'/-■^/cr for Houfe4 Jf^rf^ 

OV. 24. '737. issisassSi^raSii^i 




I- ]' 



Hut lo .' the Scfne nn more appears, 
Chjng'd all to Gri«', to Sigfis, to Tears. 
Wholly (■ poor VV/ctch ! ;.by Sin poflcrt, 
No Spark of Grac; to warm hii Breaft, 
Thdtill it's Patlishe might purfuC, 
M'.if go and i^eak up Houfes too. 
; As if his SinJ were yet 100 light ' 
To fii-.k him to Hell's boundlcfj Night ! ) 
Av-nging Hav'n now faw his Time, 
\t onct t • Dnpilli rv"(v Cumf 



y^ World before hi.s Execution. In it I was a.s punctual 

Four indictments were found against him, two for burglary and 
two for larceny, and he was tried, convicted and sentenced to be 
hanged on one for burglary. The Court was the Superior Court of 
Judicature sitting at Worcester in September, with the following 
named judges on the bench : Benj. Lyude, Paul Dudlej-, Edmund 
Quincy, Jonathan Remington and Richard Saltonstall. 

In the following extracts from the Confession, we can detect Mr. 
Parkman's pen : 

"The Confession and Dying Warning of Hugh Henderson Who 
was executed at Worcester in the County of Worcester, Nov. 26 
I737i Signed by him in the Presence of four of the Ministers, the 
Morning of the Day of his Execution. 

" I, Hugh Henderson, otherwise through my wickedness called 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 47 

and strict as I could be in inserting his own words as near 
as I could, and when any others were used, It — 

John Hamiltou of about 28 or 29 Years of Age, was born in Armagh 
in the Kingdom of Ireland, received Baptism in the Manner of the 
Presbyterians and was brought up by my uncle, who was obliged 
to give me suitable Learning, but did not; which Neglect, together 
with my own Neglect of learning the word of God afterwards, was 
a great reason of my taking to such wicked Courses as have brought 
me to my unhappy, untimely End. 

" I began with smaller Sins, while I was Young : with but steal- 
ing Pins: against which I received warning oftentimes, but per- 
sisted in it, and was very disobedient, till I increased further in 
Sin." 

Then follows warning to various classes of people and confession 
of various sins, and the confession ends: 

" Having given this Warning, I desire to commend myself to the 
Charity and Prayers of all God's People for me, and that You 
would lift up your Hearts to God for me, for the Pardon of my 
Sins, an interest in Christ, and that I may be sanctified by the 
Spirit of God: But above all I commend myself to the infinite 
Mercy of God, in my dear Redeemer, begging and beseeching that 
through the Merits of His Blood, I may this Day be with Him in 
Paradise. 

" Hugh Henderson 
" Signed with his Mark. 
"A True Copy Examined 

"Per Ebr. Parkman." 

The Poem is entitled: 

"A Poem occasioned by the Untimely Death of Hugh Hender- 
son alias John Hamilton who was hanged at Worcester for House 
Breaking, Nov. 24, 1737 "—and an extract therefrom reads : — 

'■ The Scene we did but lately view 
Too well evinces this is true— 
A Man with healthful Vigour bless'd 
The Morn of life but hardly past, 



48 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Introduction to the Latter Part of the Journal. 

1 778. 

Many changes had come to Mr. Parkman, his family, and to the 
town, since he wrote the accounts of his courtship of Susanna 
vSharpe and of Hannah Breck. Forty-one years had slipped away. 
The little church on the hill had given place to a larger but still 
unpretentious meeting-house on the Common. He was living now, 
he had been for many years, in his own handsome house on Main 
Street. 

Compelled to leave the pleasing Light, 
And stretch luvay to endless Night ; 
Because regardless of his Peace, 
He chose the flowery Path of Vice." 

The uncle receives his deserts in the poem as follows : 

" But when he met with no Restraint, 
And found his Uncle was no Saint, 
In Vice's pleasing Steps he ran." 

The N. K. Weekly Journal, Dec. 6, 1737, says: 

" On the day of his Execution the Rev. Mr. Campbell of Oxford 
preached to the Prisoner and a great assembly, a very suitable ser- 
mon on I Peter 4-5. The Prisoner was exceedingly moved and in 
such Anguish of soul that the Expressions of it in the face of the 
congregation, in crying and moans, in prayers and tears and pas- 
sionate gesture there were even to disturbance. 

"At the place of execution, after the Rev. Mr. Hall of Sutton 
had prayed, the prisoner with great earnestness desired all that 
were present to hearken well to what was going to be read to them, 
and to mind to take the warning contained in it, after which he 
put up a most importunate and pathetical prayer himself which 
manifested more of knowledge of religion, sense of his own state 
and humble faith and hope in God, than anything that has been 
received from him before." 

So was ended this sad chapter in the history of Worcester 
County — her first execution ! 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 5 1 

By deed of date April 5, 1750, he had purchased the following- 
described tract of land from Nathan Brigham, of Southborough: 

"A certain tract of laud measuring five acres and a hundred and 
twenty-six rods, situate on the Plain Northerly of the Burying 
Place in the first Parish in Westborough, Westerly of the road 
leading to Sutton and is bounded easterly and southerly by land 
left for a way & by Forty rods of laud left for the Meeting House 
and four Rods for Stables, aud likewise by the Burying Place. 
Westerly by laud of Capt. John Maynard, Northerly by sd Park- 
man's land & Northwesterly by Common land." 

His house, which he built where Dr. Curtis' old residence now 
stands, can still be seen on High Street just beyond the school- 
house. 

The house was well built, and considered by some even extrava- 
gant, and Mr. Parkman himself records that he was criticized rather 
sharply by Lieut. Tainter because his window frames were so large. 
"And although," writes Mr. Parkman, "I rebuked him for thus 
speaking, especially as there were many persons present, yet I was 
disturbed thereat ; and the frames were larger than I intended, and 
I would rather they had been smaller." 

About 1753 the new meeting-house was finished, and here Mr. 
Parkman preached until his death. Here were held the town 
meetings and nearly all the important gatheriugs of the people. 
Originally there was no steeple, aud as it began its career so it 
ended it, for the steeple and porches were removed about 1835, 
when it was converted to business purposes. As the old Arcade, it 
stood until a few years ago. Now nothing remains of it but the 
round window in the possession of the Historical Society, and 
much of its rich old oak converted into picture frames and book- 
cases and spoons and rulers, treasured in many a house in town as 
a memento of the days of Mr. Parkman and the people he loved 
and tended. 

The forty-one years had made many changes in the people, 
too. We miss the old names of 1737, and greet new ones in 
these later years. The young minister had become an old man, 
and feebleness and infirmity hampered his work. But, aside from 



52 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

the physical debilit}-, we recognize the same man, — still doubting 
his own worthiness, still striving to rightly discharge his duty, 
still imploring Divine grace, and finding in the most straitened 
circumstances abundant evidence of the loving and merciful hand 
of Providence. His happiness now is largely in his friendships, 
and especially in the children and grandchildren which so fill his 
heart. We read the entry of these latter years with less amuse- 
ment, but with more tenderness and reverence, as he lays before 
us the motives and thoughts of his daily life. And the people of 
his day go in and out before us — our own familiar friends. 

November 1778. 

I bless God for y I^ight & Privileges of another of 
the blessed Days of y"^ Son of Man. May I be in the 

Spirit on y^ lyord's Day! I preached a. m. with some Fer- 
vency once more on Ps. 92. 7 and beseech God to grant 
Success! 

Mrs. Ruth Godfry with her little Son. — dind here. 
p. M. I went on in Repeating Sermon on Gal. 3. 14, which 
it is with God alone to render effectual! May He gra- 
ciously vouchsafe it! 

N. B. The Singers more generally sat today in y'^ Front, 
& some no. stood up. Mr. Lemuel Badcock was among 
y"\ We were not .so happy as to have any singing in my 
Family today — not in y'' Evening. Mr. Jonas Bradish did 
not come to me in any part of y'' Day. noth withstanding all 
that he said yesterday. I am sorry he gives no more 
reason of y' conduct. 

2. No Mr, Bradish here today neither. Altho he assured 
me he would come today, on y'= Account of showing me .some 
Bounds. Perhaps the weather might hinder that Business, 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZKR PARKMAN. 55 

bvit I think to have come and conferred with me on y^ Sev- 
ral affairs depending. Dr. Havves ^ acquaints me with his 
Mother's Death and y' he is going to her Funeral Im- 
proving this opportunity I write to Mr. Moore and .send it 
to Man's at Wrentham for Conveyance. 

3. Mr. Bradish came, but gives me no rea.son to think he 
is at all sensible of any Gviilt or Blame on account of y*^ Neg- 
lect of his Duty. And as to Bounds of y'^ Land which he 
laid out for me, he says he has been there and y-' Land being 
now cleared, the monuments are all gone, and it is impos- 
sible to find them. Mr. Ezra Houghton of Chauxit came 
wath a message from Mr. Mellen to request me to go up 
there, inasmuch as the Arbitrators on their Affairs were to 
meet, and he has sent to Mr Stone likewise. But I was 
obliged to deny. I must be otherwise employed, it is too 
cold, I have no horse, and know I can't get one &c. &c. 
Mr. Houghton dined here, — left me to go to Southboro'. 
Elias tries to get a horse to go to Cambridge, but in vain. 
P. M. I preached at Mr. Tainters' on Rev. 2. 10. Borrow^ 

1 James Hawes came to Westborough from Wrentham in 1764, 
and immediately took an influential position in town and church, 
which he held until his death, in 1821. He bought the house which 
in 1737 belonged to Cornelius Cook, and paid ^80 for it with ten 
acres of land. He added the rooms beyond the small hallway to 
the original house. In his day it was painted red. In more recent 
years it has been plastered. James Hawes was lawyer an.d justice 
as well as physician. The Court was usually held in his dwelling- 
house, and he entertained many travellers, charging for " loging " 
—supper— or brandy — as the case might be. A night's lodging 
was 6d, while two glasses of brandy were gd. 

He was always a good friend and neighbor of Mr. Parkman. 



56 



DIARY OF' REV. EBEXEZER PARKINIAN. 



Mr. Tainter's Horse for Elias. Deacon Wood rides home 
with me. Mr. Potter has made Elias a coat. 

4. Elias, ^ on Mr. Tainter's Horse returned to Cam- 




UARVARI) COI.LKi'.K. 

bridge. I gave him 14 dollars, my newest Shooes. a variety 
of cloatheing, half a large cheese &c &c. May God in- 
cline his Heart to Religion & Learning! 

5. Mr Winslow Packard of Pelham brings Mr. Rob. 
Abercrombie's Salutation and y'' gift of Mr. Eben' Erskines 
Sermon on Ps. 118. 22 & on Lsa. 9. 6. with y'' true state of 
y*^ Process against him: To which is added a number of 
Sermons of the same eminent man, from various Texts. 



' Elias, Mr. rarknian's youuj^est son, fij^ures very proinineutlj' 
in the Journal. He was born January 6, 1761, consequently was 
now seventeen years old. He was educated as a physician and 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 57 

The book is very acceptable to me and I am very thankful 
for it. 

6. Mr. Amariah Frost jun' was here and dined with us. 
I perceive that he has lately married Miss Esther Messinger 
of Wrentham, his first cousin. Mr. Caldwell of Sutton 
brought y^ Horse which Elias rode and gratis. Toward 
night (being earnestly sent for) I went to see Mrs. Sarah 
(wife of Mr. Eb'' Maynard ) who was very ill of Dysentery 
&c. prayed with her and y^ Family. N. B. A letter from 
Elias by Caldwell. 

7. A letter from my friend Quincy ' at Medfield, dated 

practiced medicine in Preston, Conn., and in Hollistou, Mass. 
About 1792 he went to Milford, Mass., where his rich brother 
Samuel purchased a place for him. Breck and Samuel stocked a 
store for him; an apothecary and grocery combined. In 1793 lie 
was licensed to sell spirituous liquors and in 1810 as an innholder. 
The Milford History calls him "A very social, kind-hearted and 
courteous man, but too easy in general temperament and habits 
to achieve financial success." 

He married, in 1785, Alethina Belcher, of Preston, Conn. His 
oldest son was named Samuel Breck, after the two brothers who 
helped him so generously. This son afterwards went South, but 
he and all his family were drowned when the ill-starred Pulaski 
was lost. Dr. Elias' first wife died in 1792, and he married, in 
1794, Susannah (Learned) Johnson. He named the eldest daughter 
of this marriage Alethina for his first wife, and the eldest son John-, 
son for her first husband. After he had eight children he adopted 
a little girl — Marie Antoinette. 

Dr. Elias died Sept. 30, 1828, aged sixty-seven. 
iThis was Edmund Ouincy, Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas, and for many years a merchant of Boston. We can identify 
him from the son Henry (see Journal, June 5, 1780), who was born 
in 1726 and died May 27, 1780. 



55 DIARY OF REV. EBKNEZER PARKMAN. 

Sept 17. & Oct I. lilt. We hear that Nanny Beeton is in 
such Insanity as to go from her B'' John's in y*^ Night, and 
wandered up to Sutton. Word is left here from those at 
whose House she is to her Father, who is accordingly going 
after her to bring her home. 

Edmund Ouincy was born in 1703 and graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege in 1722, being therefore exact!}' the same age as Mr. Parkman, 
although the latter graduated a year earlier. 

He had a large family of sons and daughters, amoug them Doro- 
thy, who married John Hancock, noted for her beauty, wit and 
dignity. 

She was born May 10, 1747. 

During the summer of 1775, she visited at the house of her 
father's friend, Thaddeus Burr, in Fairfield, and there she met 
Aaron Burr. She was then engaged to Hancock, and she com- 
plains that her aunt would not allow Aaron Burr and herself to 
pass a moment in each other's company. 

In the fall of this year she was married in the old Burr mansion, 
having a brilliant wedding, which proved to be the last merry- 
making ever held there, as it was burned in 1779 by order of Gov. 
Tryou. 

Another daughter of Judge Ouincy married Samuel Sewell, the 
old Judge's grandson. 

Dr. Jacob Quincy was one of his sons. 

The famous " Dorothy Q "' of Holmes' poem was a sister of the 
Judge. She died in 1762. 

A number of Judge Ouincy's Letters are published in the Salis- 
bury Memorial. 

His house and store were on Summer Street and his brother 
Josiah's on Marlboro Street. He had a large garden, which joined 
his brother's. This house is called the Summer Street mansion. 

He died in 1788, aged eighty-five, outliving Mr. Parkman by six 
years and being at the time of his death an acting magistrate of 
Suffolk County. 



DIARY OF REV. EBEXEZER PARKMAX. 59 

8. So kind and gracious is God y* we are permitted to 
see y^ light & enjoy the privileges of this day, which be- 
gins the 55th year since y'^ founding this church and my 
Ordination. While I bless God for His long Suffering, I 
would humble m3'self for my unfaithfulness and unprofit- 
ableness, imploring pardoning Mercy through the great 
Redeemer, and Grace to help me, and y^ may be sufficient 
for me for the Future. Preached on II. Pet: i. 12. 13. 
p. M. on V. 14 with proper alterations of y last, which had 
been delivered before. N. B. Several gentlemen were at 
meeting, p. m. which I suppose came from y'^ Arbitration 
at Chauxit. 

9. Mr. Timothy Whitney was here to trade with me 
about my Oxen. Mr. Isaac Parker, where they have been 
kept, having refused to give what one after another judged 
they were worth viz. Eighty Pounds L. M. p. m. Visit 
Mr. Eb"^ Maynard's wife & prayed with her. Visit old Mrs. 
Kelly and praj'ed there. N. B. Nanny Beeton seems com- 
posed. Mr. Robert Wilson and his wife (who was Patty 
Dunlap, grown hugely fat) were there. I rode to Mr. Han"' 
Parker's to enquire after wood, for we are reduced. At eve 
Mr. Andrews here to desire me to marry him tomorrow. 

10. Mr. Timo. Whitney has got my oxen and pays me 40^ 
E. M. , and gives me his Horse for 40 £ more in three months 
with interest. N. B. Old Mr. Thos. Whitney is present 
and promises his son shall fulfill y*^ Engagement, and Breck^ 

^Breck, Mr. Parkman's eleventh child, was boru in 1748. His 
wife, Susanuah, whom he married in 1777, was the daughter of 
Col. Levi Brigham, of Northborough. Soon after his marriage, he 
opened a store in one end of the little house still standing on South 



6o DIARY OF KEV. EBEXEZER PARKMAN. 

was witness. Sophy' to Concord. Mr. Thos. Kendal hav 






603^ ^'^^'■'^^ 




3M^i 



^l7n(pny. 



vStreet, using tlie other end for a dwelling-place. At this time it 
stood between the parsonage and the church. 

Rreck left seven children, and was the ancestor of all the Park- 
mans who remained in Westborough. 

> Sophy was the fourteenth child of Mr. Parkman, boru in 1755. A 
little Journal kept bv her for ])arts of the years 1777 and 1778 is still 
in existence, but unfortunately ends in July, 1778. She knits her 



DIARY OF KKV. EBKNEZER PARKMAX. 



6[ 



ing left Grafton, comes and takes what things he left here, 
dines with us, and goes for Framinghani. 




BRECK PARKMAN S SHOP. 



own Stockings and gloves, spins thread, makes a skirt for Mrs. 
Baker, helps in quiltiugs, weaves shirts for Elias, bucks yarn, 
combs flax, scours pewter, &c., for her daily work. Her recreation 
consists in going to singing school, visiting her friends in the 
" hospital " sick with small pox, and making little trips to North- 
borough and even to Boston. 

She married Elijah Brigham. ( See note for Nov. 12.) 



62 DIARY OF REV. p:bENEZER PARKMAN. 

P. M. Went to Widow Baker's, according to Mr. An- 
drews' Request. I married y'", supped and w^e sing Watts' 
Ps. 128. 6 Dol. 

1 1 . This day as I suppose is y'' Time appointed for y^ 
Ordination of Mr. Ripley of Concord, but it 's Rain}- and by 
Noon a ver}- Severe Storm of Wind and Rain. Thro Di- 
vine Favour we had wood brot yesterday by two of Capt. 
Ma3'nard's^ sons. He had sent none (y^ I know of) till 
now. But now we feel the Good of it ; and are thankful. 

1 Capt. Stephen Maynard has the reputation of being the wealthi- 
est man of his day in Westborough, and his house, burned a few 
years ago, was solid and handsome, and well fitted for the resi- 
dence of a wealthy farmer. The work on his farm for many years 
was performed by slaves, and he was very loth to give them up, so 
loth, that the heavy stone walls by the side of the avenue leading 
to his house, are said to be among the very last labor performed by 
slaves in Massachusetts. In the house was one siuall room, reached 
by a sliding panel. This had brick walls with an arched ceiling 
and no window, and tradition affirms was used in the discipline of 
refractory slaves. The fire laid this chamber bare to the sunlight, 
for it was built in the chimney. 

Capt. Maynard's wife — " Cousin Maynard," as Mr. Parkman calls 
her, was formerly Anna Gott, daughter of Dr. Benj. Gott, where 
Mr. Parkman visited so frequently in 1737, and of Sarah Breck, 
Madam Hannah Parkman's sister. She had previously married 
Dr. Samuel Brigham, and she \\as Capt. Maynard's second wife. 
Her daughter, Anne Brigham, married Isaac Davis, a neighbor of 
Capt. Maynard, and became the mother of many Davises, includ- 
ing Governor John. 

Capt. Maynard, after a life of much activity and usefulness, died 
in 1806. His personal property was sold at auction, and included 
fifty old books and "a right in the Westborough Library" — besides 
all kinds of wearing apparel and household utensils — "puter" plat- 
ters and "puter plats" — basens old and poor, &c., &c. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 65 

12. Was at Deacon's Woods and with Squire Baker, ^ 
providing a team to plough my Orchard. I dind at Breck's, 
and p. M. at Mr. Nathan Maynard's, Bond's and Warren's. 
Master Elijah Brigham"- returns with vSophy from Concord, 




THE STEPHEN MAVNARI) CHIMNEY 



1 Perhaps no name appears more frequently in Mr. Parkman's 
Journal than that of Squire Baker, son of Lieut. Edward Baker. 
Like his father, he held many town offices. He was born May 19, 
1736, and was married by Mr. Parkman, in 1758, to Martha Death. 
They had a son John. 

-Elijah Brigham was the sou of Col. Levi Brigham, whose father, 
David, is mentioned several times in the Journal for 1737. His 



66 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PAKKMAN. 

<S: informs that yesterday, Mr. Ripley was ordained. Rev. 
Josiah Bridge of Sudbury began with prayer. Mr. Haven 

father deeded him the uorth part of his farm where the Heath 
house now stands. It was a little further from the road than the 
Heath house, a low two-story house with rooms either side of the 
front door. After the death of Col. Levi, his sou Winslow lived in 
the house. Elijah was the fourth child, born in 1751. Winslow, 
who is often mentioned in the Journal, was five years younger, and 
between the two brothers in age, was Susanna, Breck Parkman's 
wife. Josiah, born in 1758, was a doctor, and died unmarried when 
he was thirty years old, while Mindwell and Anna, at this time 
girls of eighteen and fifteen, both died unmarried ; Mindwell when 
twenty-four and Anna when twenty-seven. 

Elijah graduated from Dartmouth College and studied law. On 
September 21, 1780, he married Anna Sophia, — as related in the Jour- 
nal. She lived three years after her marriage and left two chil- 
dren. Nov. 26, 1783, her brother Ebenezer writes: "Dear sister 
Brighara departed this life in full hopes of a glorious Resurrection 
to eternal Life ! Alas ! " 

Elijah Brigham, after Mr. Parkman's death, continued to live in 
the parsonage, which is generally called the "Judge Brigham 
house." He served Westborough for many years as representative, 
senator and councillor, and Worcester County for sixteen years as 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, was elected to Congress in 
1810, and was a member of that body until his death, in 1816. 

He figures so prominently in the Journal that it may not be amiss 
to quote from Mr. Abner Morse who in writing of him says : "Of 
this man, I cannot speak in justice to convictions and escape the 
suspicion of extravagance among strangers; while among his ac- 
quaintance who survive, nothing would fail of a hearty response 
which I might say commendatory of his social and domestic virtues, 
his commercial integrity and honor, his great common sense and 
refinement, his patriotism and political integrity, his wisdom and 
])enevolence, his fidelity to every official and important trust, and 
his services in the advancement of the moral, civil, and educational 



DIARY OF REV. EBKNEZEK PARKMAN. 67 

of Dedham preached on . Mr. Eb' Bridge of Chelms- 
ford prayed before y*^ charge and delivered it. Mr. Dana of 
Barre prayed after y'= charge, Mr. Clark of Lexington gave 
y^ Right Hand of Fellowship. May God graciously accept 
their Work and their Offerings, and may y^ Ordained be 
Strong in y^ Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Mr. Jon" Child kindly brings me a Barrell of Cyder. The 
Cyder is gratis. I gave him a Dollar for bringing it. 

Mr. Ben How mends the Oven. 

1 3. Old Mr. Nathan Maynard came with a yoke of oxen. 
Ben Wood with a yoke and my Tim. fetches a yoke of Squire's 
and his plough, and they plough y^ Orchard, and a while 
at y'^ Island. Several loads of Wood were brought me: 
which is a great Comfort to me. I desire to thank God 
therefor. At eve, Mr. Jonas Bond of Sutton and his dauter 
here. They are returning home. They ask Sister Lydia 
to go up and stay awhile among them. 

14. Mr. Joseph Farrar here going again to preach at 
Grafton. 

The weather is now grown so cold and y*" feed gone, we 
give the cattle dry meat and house the Cows and Calves. 

15. On consideration of the New Year with this Church 
(which commenced last Sabbath) I went on a. m. with 2 
Pet. I. 14 & p. M. I put them in mind of what had been, 
and what still is, the subject of our preaching: viz: The 
Gospel of Christ from i Cor. xv. i. 

interests of the coniniunity in which he lived. ' Stranger, tread 
lightly at the grave of one such as thou ought to be, true to his 
conscience and country.' " 



68 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Sr. Brigham (Elijah) diiid here. He dehver.s me a letter 
from Dr. Crosby who is in the Army, at Woodbur}'. 

16. On this day was the Town Meeting, to Consider my 
Support, and by reason of y'^ extraordinariness of y^ De- 
pression of y'^ Medium of Commerce, & being persuaded y' 
many persons were unknowing to my Circumstances and 
Some were desirous I would say something to inform y'", 
probably Also if I did not send my mind to y"\ nor go to 
the Meeting, would make an Handle of that, and resest, 
say they did not know y' I desired anything, what should 
they impo.se it for? therefore I sent y"' a paper ( which see) 
drawn with as much wi.sdom and Care as I could. But it 
had not the Success that might reasonably be expected, 
except with regard to y-" Wood, which they provided for 
handsomely. But as to sallery, they voted only ^,"300 
where every one asks in Lawful Money what they used to 
in old Tenor. Batherick was here at evening, & .seemed 
very sorry the Town had done no more. Parkman Brad- 
shaw came from Brookfield, and informs that his brother 
Benjamin grows wor.se. He lodged here. 

17. Bradshaw leaves us to go to Cambridge, Boston &c. 
Wrote by him to my Dauter-in-law Sally. I attended the 
As.sociation at Southboro. Messrs. Smith, Goss, Bridge 
and Whitney there. A committee from Mr. Goss's Church 
to ask advice about y*" gathering of a Church in y'' south 
part of Bolton. I returned home at eve. Henry Marble 
has been here in my Absence. 

18. It was so fowl weather was disappointed as to kill- 
ing a fat cow as designed. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 69 

19. I preached at Mr. Gale's ^ to his aged Parents on 2 
Cor 4. 16. May God be pleased to grant Success! In 
returning called to see Mrs. Mallet &c. 

20. Messrs. Newton and Thad Warrin came and killed 
a fat cow for me. Mr. Levi Frisby of Ipswich called and 
dind here. Bradshaw returned & lodged here. 

21. He left us for Brookfield. Mr. Joseph Harrington 




GALE TAVERN. 



1 Abijah Gale, innholder, lived ou the road to vSouthborough, iu 
the house recently occupied by Dennis Fitzpatrick. The large L, 
has been burned, but the front of the house is substantially the 
same. He was selectman for the years 1778-80, and held other 
town offices during his life. 



yo DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

came to see me & talked about y" late Grant of y'' Town 
and about y^ Singing. He brot an extraordinary Present 
of Butter! p. m. Mr. Caleb Harrington came kindly and 
cut out and Salted my Beef. I desire to praise God for all 
His Favour! 

22. Preached a. m. on i Cor. 15. 2 p m. repeated ser- 
mon on James i. 22 which may God graciously accept & 
Bless! 

Not a large Assembly by reason of y'= rough, cold 
weather. 

33. I visited Mr. Ebenezer Maynard's wife who is still 
sick and prayed p. m. Mr. Henry Marble makes me a Visit. 

24. I am closely engaged in my Studys, tho it is not 
without difficulty by reason of y*" Cold and ruggedness of 
y^ Season. 

25. Mr. Joshua Johnson came for y'^ Paper of advice of 
y*^ Association, which I have transcribed for y"^ Bolton com- 
mittee. He dined here. Elias came up on foot from Cam- 
bridge, arrived seasonably and well. Suse came up with 
her child and lodged here. 

26. Thanksgiving. I had prepared in part, but could 
not finish it. I improved part of sermon on Ps. 147. i. 7. 
to page 7 and wrote additions on loose papers. Breck and 
all his were here at y'' Entertainment, also Sr. Brigham 
(Elijah). May y'^ Eord accept our gratulations, and bless 

the Holy Word dispensed! had excellent singing. I 

wrote by Bradshaw to my son Eb"^ at New Braintry. 

27. Mrs. P. — poorly. Town meeting by adjournment. 
I hear y' y*^ Town Committee is getting my Wood to Mr. 
Newton. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 7 1 

I wrote in part, the Conference between Q and W 

concerning y^ Support of Ministers. 

28. Elias was to have returned to Cambridge, but his 
Linnen &c was not ready, p. m. I rode to Southborough, 
and Mr. Stone came here. His Son, Mr. Thomas Stone 
and his wife, were both confined by Illness. 

29. I preached at Southborough on Rev. 22. 17. a. & 
p. M. May a Divine Power accompany and render y^ 
Word effectual, and especially to my own Soul! At eve. I 
returned home, as did Mr. Stone; who preached for me a. 
& p. M. on Phil: 2. 4. 5 which I pray God to bless and 
prosper!— I brot from Mr. Stone's Pike and Hay ward's 
Cases of Conscience. Sr. Fay, Mrs. Maynard and her 
Niece, Miss — Witt dind here. I had a letter from Rev. 
Ezra Ripley of Concord, concerning his Ordination &c. 

30. It is too great a storm for Elias to leave home. 

I read part of Pike & Hay ward's Cases. The Town 
meet by Adjournment & having dispatched their Business 
dissolved y^ meeting. Sister Champney remains under 
much trouble by an almost constant Diarrhoea. Mr. Levi 
Warren here on account of y'^ private Meeting tomorrow. 

Numerara dies nostras sic doce nos, Domine &c. 

December, 1778. 

Breck sets up an Iron Stove in his shop. 

I preached at Lieut. Levi Warren's, a third Exercise on 
Rev. 2. 10. May God be graciously pleased to add His 
own efficacious Blessing! N. B. Mr. Daniel Hardy was 
at Mr. Warren's before y-^ Exercise began and manifested 
his Disgust at my sermon on y^ late Thanksgiving. He 



72 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZEK PARKMAN. 

found fault with my saying so much about vSinging y'^ 
praises of God. I replied y' it was the ver}- Business of the 
Da}'. — the present Truth — y' if he was dissatisfied with it, 
he had need ask himself whether it was not because he 
hiviscif icas out of Tune. — After y'^ Exercises, Mr. Badcock 
and his Scholers sang a number of good Tunes, in Parts. 
We had also a plentiful Table Spread and agreeable Enter- 
tainment. 

2. Elias sat out early to return to Cambridge & Tim- 
othy with him to bring back y'= mare which he was to ride 
upon as far as Framingham. Timothy returns about 2 
o'clock, and brings Patty Forbush, one of Mr. Eb'^ For- 
bush's ' Dauters to .spin here. Mr. Dan'l Forbes' came 

^ Mr. Ebenezer Forbush and his father (Lieut. Forbush) are often 
mentioned in the Journal. The father, whom Mr. Parkman 
usually calls the old Lieut., was Thomas, son of Thomas, the orig- 
inal settler, and brother-in-law of Cornelius Cook. His house 
stood, until destroyed by fire two or three years ago, ou the corner 
of East Main and Lyman streets, opposite the Tom Cook house. 
His son Ebenezer lived with him, and took the place after his father's 
death. His oldest daughter had married Thomas Andrews in 1776. 

This house was probably built among the first in Westborough, 
but it would seem from the cellar that it originally was smaller, as 
the rooms on the west of the front door were built with no cellar 
under them. 

F^beuezer at this time was forty-eight, the old Lieutenant eighty- 
four, while Ebenezer's daughter Hannah, married to Thos. An- 
drews and perhaps living in this house, was twenty-three. 

Patty F'orbush, whom Mr. Parkman mentions as coming to spin 
for Mrs. Parkman, was the second daughter of Mr. Ebenezer For- 
bush, who two years later married F'^ortunatus Miller. 

-Daniel Forbes was a son of Dea. Jonathan, an original settler of 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 75 

kindly to inform Mrs. P of a Medicine, which he would 

send her some of, to cure her Indispositions. 

3. Sophy carrys yarn to Miss Molly Harrington, to be 
wove for a great coat for Elias. p. m. Mrs. Green and her 
Sister, y^ Widow Whipple made us a kind Visit. The latter 
being about to leave us and live at Prince-town. 

4. At eve came Mr. Elisha Forbes and his Wife to Visit 
us, and brought an extraordinary present. 31 pounds of 
Meat, Beef and Pork and a Cheese of 12 lbs., and supped 
with us. Mr. Forbes also offered y* if I would take one of 
y^ Boston newspaper, he would pay for a year. May God 
reward his Benevolence and Generosity! 

5. Mr. Nathaniel Sherman in his journey home to Mt. 
Carmel in New Haven called and broke fast here. I wrote 
by him to the Widow Pierpoint for my Notes on Job. 19. 
25 &c. Rev. Buckminster of Rutland^ hindered by 

Westborough. He was born in 1710. He lived on that part of his 
father's farm known as Jackstraw, and his cellar can still be traced 
in the pasture near the road over the hill. He was selectman, 
representative in the Legislature, and one of the Committee of 
Correspondence. For an account of his death and strange funeral 
see the Journal for January 14, 1780. 

Mr. Elisha Forbes, of whom Mr. Parkman often speaks, was a 
son of Daniel's born in 1745. He lived in the house formerly occu- 
pied (1737) by Dea. Simon Tainter. 

i Rev. Joseph Buckminster, of Rutland, "had a dignified and 
ministerial appearance, wore a gray or white wig, cocked hat, and 
white bands; was a man of talent and learning, and set his face 
like a flint against immorality of every kind." He was what was 
called a " Sublapsarian Calviuist." "It is a comfort to think," 
writes Mrs. Lee, " that the thing itself is not so harsh as its name; 
for it seems an effort to soften the stern features of Calvinism 



76 DIARY OF REV. KBENEZER PARKMAX. 

weather from proceeding on his journee home. Stopt and 
tarry s here with us. Send his horse to Deacon Wood's. 
Mr. Charles Newton begins to bring wood from Ministerial 
Lot, viz. 5. feet. 

6. I admini.ster y'^ Lord's vSupper : but Mr. Buckmin.ster 
preached a. m. on Job: 5. 4. p. m. on Mat. 16. 26. Mrs. 
Mainard and Miss Patty Fisk dind here. 

May it please God to accept our Offerings and bless His 
Word and Ordinances to us ! Deac. Wood came after meet- 
ing. 

7. Mr. Buckminster went up to y*^ Deacon's to Break- 
fast, before he left us. I rejoice in God's great Gifts to 
him. May it be continued ! 

8. I wrote Sundry Letters, particularly to my Grandson 
Isaac Baldwin at Dummer vSchool in Byfield, & to Rev. 
Mr. Levi Fri.sbie minister at Ipswich. 

9. Tho exceeding cold and windy, Breck sat out for 
Boston. Mr. Chas. Newton brot wood, 5 feet and dind 
here. p. m. he brot 6 feet. Master Fisk and his sister 
Patty, Mrs. Fisher, Miss Nabby Martyn visit here. Fisk 
is going to keep school in y'^ South part of y*" Town. I fin- 
ished Drcxclius. 

10. Newton brings a load a. :m. 6 feet (he says) p. m. 
his man another load 6 ft. | yet it proves very stormy. 

I would bless God for my many Comforts. Concerned 
for Breck who is I suppose at Boston, and has sent a load 
of corn. 

and to uiiii.iile a little human clay in the iron and granite of its 
image." 

He was pastor in Rutland for fifty years— from 1742 to 1792. 



DIARY OF RKV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 77 

11. The earth covered with snow. Wind}- and cold. 
But we have supplys. D. G. Sad news from Otter Creek 
& Cherry Valley. 

12. Breck returns from Boston, to our Joy safe, tho thro' 
much Hardship. Says a Murder was committed the night 
before last at Chariest© wn Neck, of a countryman found 
next morning, two clubbs lying by him. N. B. No Mur- 
der but a man perished in the storm. (This evidently writ- 
ten in later.) 

13. Breck is out of Wood. Su.se her.self and the child, 
her sister Mindwell & Billy Spring came up here to be with 
us over y'^ Sabbath. I preached a. m. what I had prepared 
further on i Cor. 15. now on y'' 2. middle clau.se, 'if ye 
keep in memory what I preached unto you. ' ' It was a storm 
of Rain and difficult getting to Meeting. 

Breck, his Family & Br. Josiah dind here. p. m. deliv- 
ered with variations and large additions my Sermon on Ps: 
147. 19-20. May a merciful God forgive my Defects and 
bless what was agreeable to his Will ! N. B. Squire Ba- 
ker was very kind in coming with his Sleigh, and carrying 
me and Sophy to meeting, bring us back, both a. & p. m. 

14. Breck had w^ood brot him. Suse &c. returned home. 
I finished Mr. Locke on Toleration. At eve Mr. Elisha 
Forbes here. 

15. Timothy goes to Mrs. Temple at Upton for Cloth, 
but in vain. 

I am entertained with Dr. Fuller's England's Worthys. 

16. It being moderate air, I rode in y Sleigh — to see 
old Mrs. Baker, who has been sick. I dind there and 



yS DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

thence I proceeded to visit Mr. Joseph Grout' and famil)', 
being out of health ; but Mrs. Grout herself is sick of a 
Fever. Their son Joseph this day returned home from 
Warfare, but Mr. Grout is greatly concerned about his son 
Wm. at Fishskill, and Benj. is gone a great while after him, 
and hear nothing. I prayed with y"\ Called at Lieut. 
Jon". Grout's, who is come home, from the Service. New- 
ton's man, Thos. Harrington, 2 Load. 6 feet each. 

17. Sent 9 yards of cloth to Deacon Brown's to be dressed 
for a great coat for Elias. At eve there were two marriages, 
viz: Mr. David Goodell" to Miss Eliz. Brigham (Cousin 

1 Joseph Grout and Sarah his wife had twelve children, the old- 
est, Joseph, Jr., a young man of twenty-three, the youngest, baby 
Lucy, two years old. William was just twenty, and Benjamin 
twenty-one. The family lived about a mile from the village on 
Main Street, on the place now owned by James McTaggart. 

He and his wife are buried under one stone in the old burying- 
ground — on the bottom of which can faintly be deciphered the 
words : — 

■■ Death like an overflowiug flood- 
Hath swept us both away — " 

Lieutenant Jonathan Grout and his wife Hannah had two sous 
among their seven children, Moses and Jonathan, Jr. 

He died in 1801, and is buried also in the old burying-ground, 
with the inscription : — 

" Cousider this as you pass by 
That you likewise are born to die 
And there 's a work assigned to the 
Prepare for death & foHow nie." 

-Cousin Maynard's daughter, Elizabeth Brigham, was at this 
time twenty-six years old, while David Goodale, of Marlborough, 
was born in 1716, which would make him a man of sixty-two. As 
Mr. Parkman the following vSunday speaks of his "new spouse," 
he probably was a widower. The " new spouse " died in 1798. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 79 

Maynard's Dauter) 8 Dollars, and Mr. William Acock to 
Mrs. Mary I^ewis. 3 Dollars. 
18. 

19. Breck has a fine fat Turkey roasted here. 

20. Preach a. m. on i Cor: 15. 2 last clause which may 
God succeed ! 

Mr. David Goodell the Bridegroom and his Bride together 
with her mother Maynard dind here, as did Master Elijah 
Brigham. p. m. The Bridegroom preached on i Cor: 6. 
19-20, and I hope to y^ Glory of God. He went from 
ye Meeting House, with his new Spouse, to Capt. May- 
nard's. 

21. Messrs. Nathan Maynard Jun' and Caleb Harrington 
killed a large sow for me. I lent Maynard sixty-six dol- 
lars. Mrs. P. kills 5 Gee.se, & 6 dunghill Fowls for market 
with y'^ Pork. For it appears neces.sary to make some 
money of what we raise that we may be able to purchase 
what is wanting in other respects 

22. Exceeding tedious time for Cold Snow blowing &c. 
Patty Forbush came here to Spin. My days are a 

Shadow. 

23. Mr. Joseph Harrington goes with his Team for 
Marblehead, and takes my Pork, Geese and Fowls, to the 
care of Mr. Elisha Forbes for Marketing. Am engaged in 
Sermonizing .somewhat, but oh ! my leanness. Breck trades 
with two swine drovers, and buys two shoats for me, at 
between 17 & 18 pence y'= pound. 

Hear the sorrowful news of aged, pious Master Minot's 
death. The Righteous are taken away from the Evil to 
come, but we that remain lose much in losing their Prayers. 



8o DIARY OF REV. EBENKZER PARKMAN. 

The Lord sanctifie this Death to y*" surviving widow & Sou ; 
aud to me uuder y" Loss of such a worthy Friend ! 

24. Breck and his dine here on a roast Turkey of his 
providing. Elias came home on foot from Cambridge. He 
came from there yesterday, & with him Young Nathan 
Fisk, a Freshman. They dind here. It is so very cold, 
Fisk lodges with Elias at Breck's. 

25. It remains exceeding cold. They breakfast here. 
I write by Fisk to Mr. Benj. Bradshaw% who I hear is 
worse. Fisk sets out for Brookfield. Mr. Nathan May- 
nard brings a piece of Camblet/ 14 yds from Mr. Benj. 
Howell of Worcester, for which Mr. Maynard delivered to 
him from me 20 dollars. Mr. Han'' Parker, late Constable, 
is here and pays me what Mone\' was behind in ye Wood 
rate, which was about ^,'6. 12. For which I gave him a 
receipt in full; only it is to be remembered y' Messrs. 
Joseph Grout, Jos. Green and Benaj Brigham have not brot 
theirs. At night Patty Forbush goes home. 

26. An extraordinary tedious Time Cold, blowing, 
snowing. How invaluable y^ Mercies I enjoy. I am thro 
great goodness, in health. Habitation, Cloths, Food, Fewel : 
my son and Timothy &c tend the Fires, the Cattle, get 
Wood and Water &c. but how many are at this time ex- 
po.sed to terrible Hardships, both by land and Sea! May 

1 Camlet, according to the Century Dictionary, "A very durable 
plain cloth, used for cloaks and the like; a water-proof material in 
common use before the introduction of India rubber. All the 
kinds of camlet are, in a certain sense, imitations of Oriental 
camel's-hair cloth; they are made of hair, especially that of goats, 
-with wool or silk, and present a veined or wavy appearance." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 8 1 

God extend pity to y'' miserable poor,- — to Sailors, to Sol- 
diers, to Teamers abroad & their destitute Families at 
home ! 

27. Cloudy and cold, but sun broke out, but still very 
cold. \'ery few came to Meeting. On consideration of 
severe storms and intense cold, I repeated with some addi- 
tions Sermon on Ps. 14S, 7-8. p. m. preached what I had 
prepared on Mark 9. 24. Read the proclamation for Con- 
tinental Thank.sgiving, which I received but this day at 
noon. 

28. Mr. Elisha Forbes pays me for my Pork & 6 Geese 
/38. 18. 

29. 

30. Continental Thanksgiving, preach on Isa: i. 
II. Breck &c dind. 

31. Elias rides to Cambridge. Mr. John Fay dines here 
and kills two Hogs for me. Mr. Harr. helping. Cou.sen 
Maynard made us a Visit. Master Fisk also. Drank tea 
& y*^ last tarrys in the evening. My dear dauter Cushing 
came in a Sleigh with Mr. Neh'^ Maynard. 

January, 1779 
I bless God for y^ Light of another morning, which begins 
A New Year of y^ divine patience and hong suffering 
towards me, which (I confess) am most unworthy. With 
Thanksgiving for y*^ Mercies received and penitently ac- 
knowledgement of my ingratitude & innumerable offences, 
I implore Remission, thro the Merits and Mediation of my 
only and most dear Saviour, and humbly beseech the divine 
Favour to be extended to me and mine still ; I desire devoutly 
6 



82 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

to renew my Solemn engagements by Covenant to be y'= 
Lord's, and commit to Him, y^ Sovereign of my Life, all 
my Cares and Concernments, all y*^ Changes and Events of 
this peculiarly difficult year, or what part of it, it shall 
please y*^ great Supreme to vouchsafe me to continue in this 
frail uncertain State ! 

But my dauter Cushing being here, & soon to return, 

and Col. Job Cushing dining with us, Breck also and his, I 
was much interrupted and prevented : very unavoidably. 
May y*^ Lord extend compassion ! 

2. My dauter leaves us to return with Mr. Neh. May- 
nard. I lent her Pool's Annot."". Vol. i. Fuller's Pisgah 
Light, and the Life of Dr. Inc. Mather. Elias returns from 
Cambridge. He says y' Dr. Appleton is ill. 

3. I have prepared one sermon on Ps. 90. 2, & deliv- 
ered it. A. M. Master Elisha Fisk, which keeps y'^ South 
School, dined here. I thought it best to deliver p. m. part 
of my discourse on Matt. 22. 37-38 to page 6. with addi- 
tions according to y'' occasion. 

4. Walked a. m. to Dr. Hawes Wrote Letter to Mr. 
Forbes.^ Col. Cushing dind here. At eve came from Brook- 
field my kinsman Mr. Alexander Oliver, and lodged here. 



1 Probably his son-in-law. Rev. Eli Forbes — a son of the first Jona- 
than, and brother of Daniel Forbes. He had married in 1752, Mr. 
Parkmau's daughter Mary who had died in 1776. He married again 
eight mouths later Mrs. Lucy Sanders, whose children, Charlotte 
and Jo, visit at Mr. Parkman, as recorded in the Journal. Mrs. Lucy 
Forbes died in 1780, and after one more marriage of eleven years, 
he married for his fourth wife Mr. Parkman's daughter Lucy, the 
widow of Col. Jeduthan Baldwin, of Brookfield. 

After graduating at Harvard College, VM Forbes was settled as 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 83 

5. Oliver goes on his journey to Boston. I preached at 
Deac. Wood's on 2 Tim. i. 13. omitting in many parts, & 
adding such passages as were necessary to accommodate it 
to y"= Present times. N. B. Breck agrees with a Post to 
bring Newspapers &c. 

6. Capt. Jonas Brigham^ and his wife were so benevo- 
lent as to present me a Cheese. I take y" more notice of 
this because he has been so long aloof, but I rejoice in his 
friendly Disposition. Elias is Cyphering. 

7. I rode in y'^ Sleigh to see y*^ Widow Rice (widow of 
y'^ late Mr. Edmund Rice. ) As I went I called to see old 
Mr. James Maynard and his Wife. I visited and dined at 
Mr. J. Crooks. N. B. He lately lost his pocket book with 
300 dollars & other papers. In returning home I called at 
Mr. Amasa Maynard's. At evening, Mr. Nathan Maynard, 
jun' here, and returns me 50 Dollars (in one Bill) of y^ 
money he lately borrowed. Sixteen Dollars are yet behind. 

minister in North Brookfield. In 1759, he went as chaplain in the 
army, with the regiment of which Stephen Maynard was captain, 
and, as Constantine Hardy records in his small journal, he preached 
many a faithful sermon at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on texts 
singularly appropriate to the occasions. He is called the Rev. Mr. 
Forbush, but after his return from the campaign, he adopted the 
more correct spelling of Forbes. 

In 1776, he was installed over the Church in Gloucester where he 
died in 1804, leaving a fine portrait of himself and a goodly estate. 

1 Capt. Jonas Brigham was an uncle of Elijah, and lived in his 
father David's old home. He was elected to many town offices, — 
serving for seven years as selectman — was a member of the Vigi- 
lance Committee, and a delegate to the County Congress at the be- 
ginning of the Revolution. His wife was Persis Baker. 



84 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

8. I reckoned with Breck, & paid y*^ full of his Account. 
The Ballance from vSept. 1777 to Dec. 31. 1778 (likewise 
Mr. Stockwell's account of 5 ^ & some change borrowed 
7/6) was /^57. 19. 2. lawful money. 

9. Mr. Badcock (the singer) brought me from Mr. R. 
Cranch's of (Old) Braintree, Vol. I of y^ Universal and 
historical Biographical Dictionary in large 8vo. This vol- 
ume goes no further than A. there are 1 1 vol. more. A 
small piece of Cloth for Elias, a great Coat received from 
Deac. Brown's. 

10. I preached what I had composed on Mark 9. 24. 
p. M. I went on & finished Repeating on Matt 22. 37-38. 
May God graciously concur ! 

11. I diligently read Biography. Dr. Hawes in the 
Evening. He offers to pay me money for Timothy's work 
for him last year (15 days in y'^ whole, Stephen Maynard 
worked 2)^ for me, Timmy's at 2 Dolls, and Stephen's at 
3,) but I told y^ Doctor it was in y"-' way of exchanging 
work, & therefore I expected to have work again for it. 
N. B. I wrote by y'^ Doctor to Da v. Sanger. 

12. Biography, have y'' Surprising News of y" awful 

Death of Benj. Andrews of Boston Esq. who last shot 

himself through y'=^ Head b)^ a Pistol, which he was hand- 
ling, & not aware y' it was loaded. Eord, what is Manl 

13. Suse rode to Capt. Maynard's in y*^ Sleigh and .safely, 
but in returning y*" Mare took a start, and tore away with 
Speed from Suse, who had got out of the Sleigh, and came 
home o' foot: but y'^ mare first, broke y*^ Sleigh and threw 
out a Case of Gin — however broke but one Bottle (which 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 85 

might at this time stand at — Dollars, but no Mischief done 
to Life or Limb. The praise to God! 

14. Yesterday and today much engaged in Biography. 
Sent to Mr. Gushing, President Edwards on Free Will, 

and wrote to him, by y'^ Widow of y'^ late Major Brigham. 
Young Mr. Frost here and lodges. 

15. Mr. Frost leaves me, but goes to Breck, and I per- 
ceive he is about to set up a Store at Mill River. 

16. Closely applied as I have been for some days before 
on my preparations. Yet all I can by my slow writing is 
one sermon. 

17. Preached A. ivi. on Mark 14. 24, and finish my pres- 
ent Design upon this Text. May God graciously .succeed 
it ! Mrs. Maynard dines with us, as well as Master Fisk. 
p. M. Repeated on Joh. 15. 5. 

18. Dr. Hall of Sutton^ in his Journey to Concord calls 
here. 



iRev. David Hall was settled as pastor of the Sutton Church in 
1729, with au " Honorable Selery " of ^,"100 a year of Province Bills 
or its equivalent in supplies. After a pastorate of sixty years, 
he died in 1789. The Worcester vSpy for May 12 of that year 
says : — 

" His character as an able orthodox divine, pungent, zealous 
preacher, and his steady regard to the distinguishing doctrines of 
Christianity, with the sobriety and exemplary gravity of his life, 
and his tender affection for his family and flock, are too well known 
to require illustration; it may suffice to notice, that the general 
esteem and respect for him was manifested by the large concourse 
of people (estimated at more than a thousand) who attended his 
funeral, with a solemnity becoming the occasion." 

He had a family of thirteen children, and many of his descend- 
ants have distinguished themselves as doctors, lawyers and minis- 



86 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

At eve came Mr, Daniel Forbes jun' from Brookfield. Says 
Mr. Bradshaw grows very weak, presently came his Brother 
Nathan from Walpole, going to see him. The latter lodges 
here. N. B. Mr. Badcock keeps a singing-school at Mr. 
Barn. Newton's. Elias and Timothy go to it to hear. 

19. A. M. Mr. Badcock here. An uncommonly rigorous 
Season. By reason of Breck's agreeing with a post to ride 
this Road, I have y'^ Benefit to read two of y*^ Boston News- 
papers ; Saturdays and Mondays, which arrive here on Tues- 
day evening. 

20. Mr. John Forbes of Rutland on Otter Creek which 
(thro mistake) we heard was taken by y"' enemy, came to 
.see us, being well and safe. In reading y'^ Biographical 
Dictionary — Life of Dr. Atterbury. 

21. Tho very Cold yet Breck goes in y'^ sleigh to Boston. 

22. At eve came my Kinsman, Nathaniel Bradshaw from 
Brookfield — tells me his Bro' Benj. is so low y' he himself 
gives up & thinks he shall soon depart. Nath' lodges here. 

23. Cousin Bradshaw leaves us to return to Stoughton- 
ham. At eve Breck returns from Boston. Inform, y' his 
sister Sally is become more sociable and chearful. 

24. Delivered a. m. to a small congregation, an exercise 
y* is part of Expos, of Mat. 17. 17 to 21. but it being a 
continuation of y'^ Discourse on Mark 9. 24. I read on in 

ters. His youngest daughter, Deborah, married Rev. Dauiel Grosve- 
nor, who is occasionally mentioned in the Journal as the pastor 
of the Grafton Church. 

Rev. David Hall, as -well as Mr. Parkman, kept a Diary for many 
yeSrs, which is preserved in the rooms of the Massachusetts His- 
torical Society. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



87 



Mark g to 29. p. m. preached on Mat. 22. 39-40. which I 
designed as a second part to y^ Discourse on Mat. 22. 37-38. 
Master Moses Brigham^ who keeps school at y*^ East Quar- 
ter of y^ Town dind here. 

25. Being at y^^ Shop, Capt. Fisher and Mr. Badcock 
were there and acquainted me with the Desire of y" Singing 




^ORBES HOMESTEAD. 



1 Moses Brigham was the oldest son of Moses Brigham, Sen., 
and Mehitable Grout, who were living at this time in the house 
known as the old Forbes homestead and now occupied by Geo. A. 
Ferguson. It is situated on East Main vStreet, about a mile from 
the village. His sister Sarah had married, seven years before this, 
Jonathan Forbes — the third of the name, and through this mar- 
riage the Moses Brigham house passed into the Forbes family. 



88 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

School to have a Lecture preached to y'", and though (as 
the}^ say ) they would be glad if- Mr. P. would himself 
preach, yet because of the disquietment among y'' People, 
about singing, and for y*" sake of drawing in people, it was 
mentioned to ask one of the neighboring Ministers, particu- 
larly Mr. vSumner^ to preach it. I replyed with Con.sent., 




JOSEPH SUMNER. 

Moses Brighain, Juu., the school teacher, left Westborough and 
settled in Hanover, N. H., and afterwards in London, C. W. 

As we learn from the entry for March 26, he was lodging at that 
time at Mr. Andrews', who lived on East Main Street. Probably 
he " boarded 'round " during the week. 

•Joseph Sumner, for many years an intimate friend of Mr. Park- 
man, was pastor of the Shrewsbury Church. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 89 

provided they would acquaint y*= appointed Choristers with 
it, and endeavor to have them lead in y*^ Affair. 

26. Mr. Elisha Parker here a. m. on y"^ Same Business, 
of y'^ Singing Lecture — to write to Mr. vSumner &c. but I 
answered him as I did Capt. Fisher yesterday. 

p. M. Deac. Wood, here — brot. a large Spare Rib, ad- 
vised with him ab't Singing Lecture and he approved of y'^ 
Steps proposed. 

Mr. Peter Whitney,' his Wife & Child, also Mr. Ham- 
He was born in 1740— January 19 — so at this time had just passed 
his thirty-ninth birthday. He was settled in Shrewsbury in 1762, 
Mr. Parknian making the ordaining prayer. 

He lived until 1824, when he was eighty-five years of age, having 
been settled in Shrewsbury for sixty-two years. 

He was a very large man, being six feet and four inches in height 
and of commanding presence. He wore a white wig and three- 
cornered hat. 

Mrs. Sumner is not only mentioned in the Journal, but Mr. Park- 
man owed her many a pleasant evening and comfortable night. 
"She was," says Rev. Peter Whitney, "descended from a family 
respectable from the infancy of the country to this time. Such 
was her deportment in her station as not to diminish the lustre of 
the name nor detract from its deserved distinction." She was 
Lucy Williams, of Pomfret. 

iRev. Peter Whitney, of Northborough, is best known to fame as 
the author of the History of Worcester County, a fact which per- 
haps he did not foresee when he wrote in the preface: " Had the 
writer of these sheets known before he began what a labor it would 
have been, he would not have attempted it, but having begun he 
was unwilling to desist." 

The historian of Northborough says " that he was distinguished 
for the urbanity of his manners, easy and familiar in his inter- 
course with his people, hospitable to strangers and always ready to 



90 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



mock, came over in a vSleigh to visit us. and N. B. Mr. 
Daniel Forbes was here, tarrying after y'^ Company & gave 
me great Disquietment about y*^ Support of my Family, 




^itt^ 



;C2^^ 



give a hearty welcome to his numerous friends ; punctual to his 
engagements; observing an exact method in the distribution of his 
time; having a time for everything and doing everything in its 
time, without hurry or confusion ; conscientious in the discharge 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 9 1 

what number in it they were willing to maintain, and what 
not — that 300 and my wood was an honorable sufficiency &c. 
But it was too apparent y' he was put out of Humour by 
my consulting him about my advising y'^ Singers to invite 
y^ Choristers to lead in y'^ proposed plan of y'' Singing lycc- 
ture. For he said those men had been too much courted 
alread)^ and had conducted but indecently towards y*^ Sing- 
ers ; so that they did not deserve such respect to be shown 
y"". On y^ other Hand, I conceived it would be most pru- 
dent in me, in time of so much Difficulty, to advise to a 
Method y* must needs be most conciliating, and prevent 
further Complaint. May God graciously impart the Wis- 
dom y' may be profitable to direct, under such trying Cir- 
cumstances. 

of his duties as a Christian minister; catholic in his principles 
and in his conduct; always taking an interest in whatever con- 
cerned the prosperity of the town and the interests of religion,— 
he was for many years the happy minister of a kind and affectionate 
people." 

He was the son of Rev. Aaron Whitney, of Petersham, and was 
born there vSept. 6, 1744, being at this time thirty-five years old. 
He had been ordained in Northborough in 1767. He was a staunch 
patriot, and in 1776 preached a sermon in which he enumerated 
twenty-six crimes of which King George was guilty. This discourse 
was dedicated to John Hancock, and every sentence in it was cal- 
culated to arouse a love of freedom and a resolve to use the sword 
boldly in doing the work of the Lord. 

He married Julia Lambert, of Reading. 

" He passed," says a notice of his death, " his long ministry in 
perfect peace and harmony both with the church and society." 

In 1888 a memorial tablet was erected to his memory in the First 
Congregational Church of Northborough. 



92 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

27. Mr. Newton, at eve, after his sledding wood today, 
thinks he has brot y'^ Quantity agreed for : but it was not 
so in my Memorandum Book. 

28. Mr. Newton brings more wood, and brings his own 
Account which I copy and cast up, but we find that now he 
has brot enough to make up 35 cord. Mr. N. Maynard jun'. 
came with a load of six feet : half of which was for Mr. Jo- 
seph Green, & y other half for Mr. Newton. There is 
still more wood brot out from ye lyOt to Beeton's : the charge 
for cutting and sledding out .so far, he throws in, and we 
part in peace. 

One Mr.Wm. Parkhurst of Coi's Hill, calls to inform y' on 
Monday deceased and yesterday was buryed Mr. Benjamin 
Brad.shaw at Brookfield ! ! ! 

May God graciou.sly support all of us under this His holy 
Stroke ! Especially may my Grand Dauter have grace to 
improve suitably this Sorrowful Bereavement ! 

At eve Mr. Eli Whitney and Mr. Eli.sha Parker here, and 
desire me to appoint a Singing Lecture, and to write to Mr. 
Sumner to come and preach it : on Thursday next (the 4th 
of February) at 2 p. :m. Breck, Suse with her Baby, Molly 
Pratt, go in a Douljle Sleigh, and Mr. Elijah Brigham and 
Sophy are with y"' to Mr. Daniel Grout's at Grafton. Pl^lias 
and Timothy to y" vSinging School (as hearers) at Mr. Barn. 
Newton's. 

We have y sad news y' Mr. Peter Adams, heretofore of 
this Town (son of y« late Mr. Elephalet Adams) was sud- 
denly killed by y" Falling of a Tree, at New Guildford N. 
H. May God sanctifie so awful a Di.spensation to all Sur- 



DIARY OF REV. EBRNEZER PARKMAN. 93 

vivors, and in particular to y'^ mournful Widow ( who was 
Susanna Pratt of this place) and her Orphan Children ! 

29. This Day is memorable for y" Sorrows I was plunged 
into in y^ year 36 (43 years since) when y*^ first Partner of 
my Joys and Divider and Sharer of my Griefs was taken 
away : I remember still y^ Wormwood and y^ Gall — my 
Soul is yet humbled within me. May God grant me true 
and thorow Humiliation ! 

I was interrupted by two setts of Company : first Mrs. 
Parker & Mrs. Davis, which rode over here to making a 
Visit, but especially by Rev. Grosvenor' and his Wife & 
child, accompanied by Rev. Mr. Farrar and Mr. Grosvenor's 
young Brother Nathan— in a Sleigh— all of y"^ dind here. 

I wrote to Mr. Sumner & sent it by Mr. Elisha Parker to 
come and preach to y" Singers next Thursday. 

30. Mr. Jon" Maynard brot a load of Wood to me for 
Breck, in Return for a load which he borrowed of me, and 
Mr. Maynard brot gratis a load of that wood which Mr. Ch, 
Newton left at Beeton's. 



i"Rev. Daniel Grosveuor," says the Grafton History, "was a 
man of very pleasing manners, both in the pulpit and out of it, 
dignified in his bearing, courteous and engaging in his address. 
Rare conversational powers, united with these qualities, made him 
everywhere a pleasant companion. His fondness of anecdote, ready 
wit and plentiful resources also served to make his presence always 

welcome to those who loved society The years of his 

ministry embraced the period of our revolutionary struggle, in 
which crisis he evinced his attachment to the cause of his coun- 
try ' by leaving his pulpit, taking his musket and joining the com- 
pany of minute men that went to Cambridge on the 19th of April.' " 
At this time he was thirty years old. 



94 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

N. B. Mr. Badcock has been with me to speak about y"" 
Singing, (viz. how many times, and what times they desire to 
sing) on proposed Lecture Day. At eve. Mr. Elisha Parker 
here, to let me know y' Mr. Sumner will come (extras ac- 
cepted) to preach y'= proposed Lecture, & asks me to his on 
Wednesday. 

31. I preached on Mat: 22. 39. P. m. repeated Sermon 
L on 2 Cor. 3. 15., but read from X. 12. bee. of y'^ long Ex- 
plic" of y^ Context, proceeded to y'^ forepart of y*^ Amplifica- 
tion in p. 5 & added cotempore. 

I appointed a Singing Lecture to be next Thursday at 2 
p. M. Dr. Hawes delivered me a Packet from Col. White, 
Rept. for Rochester. I found it contained principally Rev. 
Mr. West's (of Dartmouth) anniversary Sermon at Ply- 
mouth, Dec. 22. 1777 with a folio letter of his to me, in six 
numbers, opening further the prophecy's in Isaiah, Ezekiel, 
Daniel, Micah, & y^ Revelation, which as he conjectures, 
point at y*^ present Times in America, accompanyed by a 
letter from my son Moore, & his Transcript of Mr. West's 
Letter (of 16 pages octavo) lest I should not be able to read 
Mr. West's autography. Which were very acceptable. 

In y'^ evening, read Mr. West's sermon above mentioned, 
as well as Mr. Moore's letter. Thus I finish this month, 
and may a gracious God forgive the Miscarriages & Defi- 
cientys I have been chargeable with ! and }-e Day past in 
Special ! 

February 1779 

At eve came my Kinsman, Mr. W"'. Bradshaw, who has 
been to Brookfield, but did not arrive there till after his 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



95 



brother Benjamin's Funeral. — -He lodges here as does Mas- 
ter Fisk. 

2. I preached at Mr. Barnabas Newton's on Ps. 44. 15 
to p. 73d. 

N. B. We Sung twice, because y'^ Singing School was 
there, and I tarried to hear y'" Sing after my P^xercise. 

3. Rode to Shrewsbury (at Mr. Sumner's Request) dind 
there. ^ 

1 Mr. Sumner was living at this time in the old parsonage, form- 
erly the residence of Gen'l Artemas Ward of Revolutionary fame. 
The "Meeting-house land" adjoined. In 1797, Mr. Sumner built 
the new house which still remains as it was in his day — his bed, 
desk and bookcase, his clock and portraits, each piece of furniture 
in its own place as it was when he last saw it. The old house in 
which Mr. Parkman so often "'dind " and lodged, also still stands; 




rr^;^f n 



'iss'^iX 



SUMNER HOUSES. 



96 DIARY OF REV. KBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Mr. Fairbaiik preached y Lecture on i Joh. 4. 16. latter 
part. After sermon we had some Conversation about several 
passages delivered concerning God permitting Evil — and on 
y'= Fallen Spirits & Pharaoh, y' they ought to bless God for 
their Existence. I answered (among other things) our Lord's 
saying of y*^ Traytor, " it were good for that man if he had 
never been born." I returned home at Evening. 

4. A vSiNGiNG Lecture at y" Request of y"" vSinging 
School. 

Mr. Sumner preached. His text was Ps. 149. i. It was 
conducted thus. After Dinner (at which besides Mr. Sum- 
ner & Col. Job Cushing y' came with him, was Mr. Stone 
of Southboro) when we first went into y'= Meeting House, 
An Anthem was sung. Then Mr. Stone made a short Praj-er. 
After which I appointed and read Ps. 149. which was Sung 
without Reading the Lines by the Deacon, then Mr. Sumner 
prayed, after which we sung Ps. 113, Deacon reading as 
usual, & y*" Sermon next followed. Mr. Sumner prayed 
again and we sung y'^ 5th Hymn without reading, except 
ni}^ first reading over y*-" whole. In Conclusion of the Exer- 
cise, I pronounced the Blessing. But then Mr. Badcock, 
the Master began an exercise of Singing — of Anthems and 
Tunes — which was very grateful, and may God graciously 
Condescend to accept y*-' Sacrifice ! 

At eve a number of other Gentlemen here, viz : Dr. Crosby, 



but enlarged into a tenement house, and moved from its original 
site, neither of the two ministers would know it now. In 1830, it 
was substantially the same as on this February morning, when Mr. 
Parkman " dind there." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 97 

Master Benj. Stone of Shrewsbur}-, Masters Brigham (Elijah 
and Moses) «& Fisk. 

5. Sermonizing. . 

6. Do. 

7. On Mat. 22. 39. A. M. Master Fisk dined here. p. m. 
on 2 Cor. 3. 14 former part. But all depends on Divine 
Blessing ! 

In y'' eve read Pike and Hayward, — also Benj, Foster 
against Mr. Fisk on Baptism. "God dwelling in y'^ Tents 
of Them." 

3. Bills of two Emis.sions viz. of May 20, 1777 & of Apr. 
II. 1778. are refused in common Trade. I acquainted 
Squire Baker with this Difficulty with respect to .some part 
of my Money, and some Considerable which I received of 
him. He told me he would change such bills as I had of 
Those Emissions. This day I went up to him, & his clerk 
changed 142 Dollars for me. 

p. M. I wrote to Mrs. Moore. 

9. Wrote again to Mr. Forbes about his Sheep. 

10. Transcribed from biographical Dictionary p. m. went 
up to y'^ Singing School (by desire) to hear y'' Singing. 
This is Mr. Badcock's last Day. In y'^ Ev^ening. I was seized 
with shivering and went to Bed not well. 

11. Mr. Badcock leaves us. I sent by him Mr. Cranch 
his Vol, I. of Biographical Dictionary, and a Letter to Mr. 
Forbes to y"^ care of Col. Coffin, Rep for Gloucester. At 
Eve. Master Fisk, Sophy, Elias carries Suse to see her 
Father who is confined with Indispositions — and Breck goes 
at evening & they tarry there. 

12. Mr. Thos. Warrin & Stephen Maynard cutt up part 



g8 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

of y"^ woodpile today to pay Mrs. Parkman for knitting for 
y'^ latter of y'". They dind. They work till evening. Na- 
than Maynard jun' gives me a note for i6 Dollars (lent him 
with much more) Dec. 21. last. 

At Even I rec'd a lyCtter dated January 25, from my son 
Forbes, acquainting with y*^ Death of one of Mr. Forbes' 
Dauters, by a Fever, and y'^ Distress Cape Ann is in b}- y*^ 
Small Pox, y' he, being desired by y'^ Selectmen and y^ Doc- 
tors Plummer & Coffin to assist, has innoculated and admin- 
istered physic to near 100: Col. Stevens and his Wife have 
got safely through. But alas for y^ poor people, who want 
Bread, and Cloths & Fuel! May God pity y'" and grant 
Supplys, especially of his Almighty Grace and Spirit : that 
they may duly improve providences, and the Seasons and 
means of Salvation! 

A sad disappointment in ye over rotted flax, which ap- 
peared by y'^ breaking & swingling a part of it. The young 
man (Phin Brigham) desists as working in vain, throws in 
his pains and leaves it. a. m. Breck goes to Brookfield to 
look after his Bradshaw affairs. Dr. Stimson^ was here 
from Marlborough & tells me old Mr. Thos. Biglo an old 
Friend (perhaps about 86) is dead. And old Mr. Jonas 
Morse ( about 84) is dead also, & to be buryed this day. 
May God grant Me to be ready, in all respects so for y*-' 
Time is hastening upon me. 

14. Rain A. M. A thin congregation. Preached again 
on Mat. 22. 39. Master Fisk dind here. p. m. go on with 
repeating (with incidental variations) on 2. Cor. 3. 14 for- 

1 Dr. Jeremy Stimpson, of Hopkinton, author of a short history 
of Hopkiuton. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



99 



mer part, used from Artie. 6th in eontinuation of page 8 to 
middle of page 1 1 . 

After our evening Exercise Mrs. read good part of y"^ 
Touchstone of Saving Faith O y' God would add His 
Blessing to these fervant and powerful means of Grace! — 

15. Elias is so much taken with a pair of Steers at Mr. 
Harrington's, that he prevails with me to go and trade with 
him for them. I went to his House and drank Coffee with 
his Mother and Wife. 

16. Elias with Mr. Harrington about y*^ Steers, & I 
compleated a Bargain with him : His steers are coming 3. 
he asks 80^; for y'". I give him my large Steer and 35/, 
and paid him y^ Bills in Hand. The steers are duly ex- 
changed. Ehas p. M. makes a Business of trimming y'^ 
great Apple trees in y*^ Garden &c. Mrs. Harrington, 
both, here. Breck returns from Brookfield and New Brain- 
tree. Gives me but a Sorrowful account of y*^ Insolvency 
of y^ late Mr. Bradshaw of y^ Afflicted state of my Dauter 
Baldwin, by reason of her Husband's absence so long from 
his Farm & Business &c. Also Ebenezer's Affairs diffi- 
cult. 

17. I was chiefly recluse. Recollect. Mr. Nasmith's 
(a Scotchman's) Directory and Exemplar for Self-Examina- 
tion & Willard's Blessed Man from page 188 on X 5 treat- 
ing of Confession &c. 

18. Cousin Maynard with her son-in law Goodell and 
his wife came to see us. They came on foot. p. m. drank 
Tea and returned as yy came. Mr. Goodell has lately been 
at Henneker, & says Mr. Rice is so well as to preach 
steddily again. To God be Glory! 



lOO DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

17. Capt. Morse ^ came here and brot me an handsome 
Cheese which he says his Wife made on purpose for me. 
N. B. This was unexpected as I had apprehended he had 
been under Disgust from Thanksgiving Time. But I hope 
it is gone over. Breck here and asks for lyiberty to build 
a Smith's shop at y*^ Corner of my Land next the Burying 
Place." At eve came Master Fisk to see us with Elias at 
Even to a Singing Meeting, at Mr. Newton's but lodges 
here. 

20. A Letter from my Son Samuel'* to his Br. Breck, 

1 Capt. Morse was Capt. Seth Morse, who lived on South Street 
where Mrs. J. D. Potter lives now. He led the troops from West- 
borough in the Revolution. He laid out the present garden. 

-The only hurying-place in Westborough until many years after 
Mr. Parkman's death, was the small plot of land on Main Street 
that we now call Memorial Cemetery. 

The first burial is said by tradition to have been that of Thomas 
Rice's little son Nahor, who was so cruelly slain by the Indians in 
1704. 

Mr. Parkman's land adjoined the burying-ground, and he seems 
also to have had a right to use that, as we see him pasturing his 
guests' horses there on a later occasion. 

In 1747 this land was granted to the Town of Westborough by 
the Proprietors of Marlborough, as recorded in their Great Book. 
It is referred to in that record as one and a half acres of land 
" where the Inhabitants have always buried their dead." 

•^Samuel Parkman, at this time only twenty-eight years old, was 
already a prosperous merchant in Boston. He had married, half a 
dozen years before, Sarah Shaw — the daughter Sallie to whom Mr. 
Parkman so often refers. At this time he had four children- 
Samuel born in 1774, Sarah in 1775, Hannah in 1777 and the baby 
Abigail six days old. Little Abigail lived until 1807, and we trust 
realized all her grandfather's wish for her. In 1780 the " fine fat 




SAMUKI. PARKMAN. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 103 

informs y^ Sally had a Dauter born on ye 14th at 4 a. m. 
was baptized p. m. and Jailed Abigail. The praise and 

dauter " Sukey was born on June 4, who lived until 1824 and was 
the grandmother of Col. Robert G. Shaw, and one other child, 
John, was born in 1782. Two months later "dauter" Sally died, 
and in 1784 Samuel married again, Sarah Rogers, and had five chil- 
dren, among them Francis, who was the father of Francis Park- 
man, the historian, a corresponding member and generous donor, 
as also has been his sister, Miss Eliza S. Parkman, to our Historical 
Society. 

Samuel Parkman's store was on Merchants' Row. His house 
stood on the corner of Green and Chardon streets. The Electric 
Railway Station now occupies his old site. He built two houses 
for his two daughters on a part of his large garden, which still 
stand facing Bowdoin Square between Green and Cambridge streets. 

Samuel Parkman, with Elias Hasket Derby, of Salem, Samuel 
and William Shaw, of Boston, and a few other merchants of the 
day, amassed a large fortune in exporting indigo, tar, turpentine, 
masts, etc., and bringing back from India and China vessels laden 
with the rich manufactures of those countries. 

In 1801 he presented to the Westborough Church the first bell 
which had ever rung to call the people to worship, and the day 
that they voted their thanks to him they decided to add a steeple 
to their plain meeting-house. This was afterwards taken down, and 
the " old Arcade," as we know it, may have resembled the church 
as it was in the minister's day more nearly than the building re- 
constructed from the recollections of our "oldest inhabitants." 
The bell, cast bj- Paul Revere, is now in the belfry of the Baptist 
Church. 

Among the portraits hanging in Faneuil Hall are two presented 
by Samuel Parkman; one of Peter Faneuil, by Col. Henry Sar- 
gent, the other a full-length of Washington, standing by his white 
horse, by Stuart. 

Mr. Parkman also subscribed $4,000 in 1798 towards the building 



I04 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Glory to God & may y*^ Child be a rich Blessing ! Mr. Eb"" 
Maynard jun' from Conway to see me. 

21. I preached once more on Mat: 22. 39. 40. p m 
Repeated Sermon on 2 Cor. 3. 14. last clause. N. B. Mrs. 

of the war-frigate Boston, given as a free-will offering to the Gov- 
ernment by the merchants of Boston. Only one subscription was 
larger than his. 

Samuel Parkman died June 18, 1824, aged seventy-three. 

A niece of his second wife writes : " My remembrances of him 
are limited to the Sunday calls, which he often made at our house, 
after the morning service. 

" He was a very genial man, and so fond of children that he 
never forgot to bring us some sugar-plums, which were a much 
greater rarity then than in our modern days. 

"After making his call, he would step to the sideboard, put his 
package into a covered dish and go, without saying anything about 
his gift. You may judge of the excitement, after he had gone, in 
opening and sharing its contents." 

An old man still living in Westborough, at the age of ninety-five, 
describes him as a very straight, stoutly built man, fine looking, 
who made very little talk with any one. He tells the following 
story of him, after he became one of the wealthiest men in New 
England : 

He owned man)' hoiases, which he rented. One day- one of his 
tenants dropped into his store, made some small purchases and 
asked : 

" Who can I get to carry these things up? " 

" I'll carry them up," said Mr. Parkman, from another part of 
the store. So, when the time came for closing the door that night, 
Mr. Parkman took the packages and knocked at his tenant's 
house. The man came to the door, saw Mr. Parkman. and was over- 
whelmed with confusion. 

He delivered the bundles with the remark : " When I began the 
world, I did my own lugging." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. I05 

Maynard as well as Mr. Fisk dind. At evening Exercise, 
Breck brot his brother Josiah Brigham here. 

22. I could not visit y'^ Sick by reason of a Storm. I 
review & Set in order great numbers of Letters. I give 
way to Timothy's cyphering, tho (besides his taking Care 
of y'^ Cattle) there are many things to be done. 

23. I go on reviewing and disposing Letters, Papers & 
Collections. 

Mr. Goodall, who preached at Southboro' last Sabbath, 
came to me to ask Advice abt his going to preach at 
Otter Creek. N. B. I sent by him to Mr. Joh" Loring his 
Book of y'= Life of y*^ renowned Piereskins. 

Breck and Elias p. m. go over to ITpton to singing meet- 
ing there. 

24. I rode to Mr. Elijah Hardy's to see their little Eli- 
jah, who had been very ill, but was much better — to Mr. 
Joseph Grout's to see his William who languished, but is 
recovering — proceeded to Mr. Grosvenor's, but he was gone 
to Pomfret. I dind there, with Mr. Farrar. He went with 
me to see Mr. Joseph Brown, who was gone to Providence. 
Viewed his Library, but not his Electrical Machine. To 

this Mrs. Brown invited me and to bring Mrs. P when 

Mr. Brown may be at Home. In returning from Grafton, 
had Capt'n Woods and his Wife's Company from Dr. Jos. 
Woods, where we drank Tea. 

In y'^ evening came Moses Warren to let him.self to me for 
six months. & asks an hundred pounds lawful money for 
that term. I defer giving him an answer till next Monday. 
My son Ebenezer came from Brookfield, in his way to Wa- 
tertown, tells me Col. Baldwin is come home, and Alexander 



I06 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Oliver is dismissed, but is suffered to stay, his Wife's Cir- 
cumstances considered till April. Eb' lodges here. 

25. I walked to Mr. Thad. Warrin's to hire him to get 
out Fencing stuff, posts and Rails ; thence to Mr. Isaac 
Parker's to see and talk with his brother Ephraim about 
living with me, and he seems disposed. At eve, my son 
relates somewhat of his sorrowful case, and how his son in 
law had beguiled him to give a Warrantee Deed of his Place, 
without a proper Security, an unhappy step ! 

26. Eb'. leaves us to go to Watertown and Boston. I 
send by him to Mr. David Sawyer at Framingham : Breck 
sends quantity of money by him to his brother Samuel. Jo- 
seph Grout Jun' is examined in order to his joining in full 
Communion with y*" Church, & I consent. 

27. Mrs. P. has made up my Camlet gown, lined with 
Green Baise.^ 

28. A. M. Repeat on i Cor. 3. 17, for p. m. on Isa. 28. 
1-2, A long sermon, which could not be divided. Applica- 
tion was occasioned, by Town Meeting on y'^ Morrow. Mrs. 
Maynard Messrs. Elijah and Moses Brigham & Mr. Fi.sk 
dind here. 

March 1779. 
The Town met. They sent two to ask me to go and pray 
with y'". I complied, and at their Request, I read y"^ King 
of Britain's Speech to his Parliament. November last. Mr. 

' Baize was a coarse wooleu cloth made in Norwich and Colches- 
ter, England. It was sometimes white, sometimes blue and white, 
red or green, as in Mr. Parkman's cloak lining. It was used largely 
for the dresses for servants and in earlier days for slaves. It had 
a nap on one side. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. IO7 

Daniel Forbes was here to ask me to preach at his House 
tomorrow. My son Ebenezer returned from Watertown, 
Boston &c. He brings a letter from Mr. Forbes of Glou- 
cester, concerning y^ Sickness of his son-in-law, Charles 
Saunders of about 8 &c. &c. The choristers Chamberlain 
and Whitney, say they want to be dismissed and desire there 
may be a new choir. Eb' lodges here. N. B. Moses War- 
ren was released from serving me this season. 

2. I preached to y^ private Meeting at Mr. D. Forbes' s on 
Ps. 44. 18, recommending Stedfastness in Religion and re- 
buking Inconstancy Declining and Apostacy — and Isaac 
Millar, a Delinquent, was there. N. B. Mr. Forbes re- 
peatedly desires I would revive y'^ Public Reading of y"^ Scrip- 
tures. N. B. My son Eben' went with me to y^ Meeting, 
tarrys and lodges here. 

3. Eph'" Parker (brother of Elisha and Isaac) came to 
work by y'^ Day for me. He goes to y^ Ministerial Lot to 
get Posts and Rails. I went to Squire Baker's, and acknowl- 
edged a power of Attorney, to be sent to Mr. David Hitch- 
cock of Brookfield to recover a Debt from James Smith of 
Western ; to be carried with a letter to Mr. Hitchcock by 
my son Ebenezer. N. B. Hon^'^ Sam^ Baker was there. 
The Town meets by adjournment. Messrs. Belknap and 
Forbes here, and acquaint me y* the Chief of y^ Town have 
expressed their desire y' I would revive y" public Reading of 
y^ Scriptures, and say there were but two (Mr. Andrews 
and Mr. Han'^ Parker, y' said any Thing against it : also 
Messrs. Chamberlain and Whitney, the choristers, were here 
y' they might .see what I had drawn up, to lay before y^ 



I08 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Congregation, praying there may be a New Choice in their 
vStead. Eb' lodges here. So does Ephraim Parker. 

4. I don't send y^ power of Attorney to Mr. Hitchcock 
nor Breck's Eetter to him, but have writ myself, and have 
agreed with my .son Ebenezer (who now leaves us) to go to 
Mr. James Smith of Western, and apprize him of what I 
am about to do, y' he may prevent y^ Evil by di.scharging 

y^ Bond. Mrs. P disposes of Baize Lining to Ebenezer, 

and with y^ money, and some additions (that of 34s.) pur- 
chases — yds. of Bear Skin to make him (Elias ) a Straight- 
bodyd coat. (Designed Lining of a New Red homespun 
Camblet gown for Elias. ) 

5- 

6. Eph.'" left me by agreement and to return again : 

7. A Stormy, snowy Day — but a small Assembly. 

I read a. m. y'' former part of y^ first Ch. of Zechariah 
and delivered expository observations for y*" forenoon exer- 
cise. 

Sr. Brigham (Elijah) and Master Fisk dined here. 

P. M. Read Rev. 14. first 7 or 8 x & repeated what I 
had delivered upon it three years ago to page 7. May God 
graciously own and bless what has been done agreeable to 
His Will! Both before and after our evening Family exer- 
cise Mrs. P. read to me Pike and H. , and I read part 
of Charnock on Gen. 6. 5. The Sinfulness and Care of 
Thought, both which were very quickening to me. To 
God be y*^ Glory ! 

8. Went to .see Sam Dalrymple, whose Leggs were 
lately scalled with hot wort. Mr. Harrington sleds away 
with my four Steers, 4 logs of Maple to his door. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 109 

9. At Squire Baker's who takes my acknowledgment of 
another power of Attorney to Mr. David Hitchcock instead 
of that of y'' 3^^ which upon reviewing was not agreeable, 
and therefore was not sent. 

The Squire was exceeding Friendly and generous. He 
gave me 20 lbs. of tryed Tallow and to Mr. Stone 1 2 lb. 
being all he spoke for. Moreover he would have me, when- 
ever I am in any Straight, to let him know of it. I called 
to see Mrs. Wheelock. She has a bad Breast: and Mrs. 
Keens. 

10. Eph. Parker came again. Breck goes to Boston. 
I wrote to Mr. Ripley of Concord for my Books and for 
Sister Champney's Chest. Also to my Son W"'. to hasten 
my Cart Wheels, p. m. came my son and Dauter Baldwin 
from Brookfield and with y"' Oliver How to wait on y"\ 
and by Tea Time came Dr. Stimson & young Mr. Sam. 
Woodward of Weston. The two latter returned to Marl- 
boro' . The others lodged here : the Horses were taken in 
to keeping by Capt. Morse. Eph'". Parker lodges here. 

1 1 Mr. Baldwin and my Dauter leave us to go towards 
Byfield, but she is in doubt of her reaching there. Their 
man returns back to Brookfield. At eve came my son 
Moore, ^ who has been at Oxford and Charleton, & goes this 



1 Rev. Jonathan Moore, of Rochester, had married, in 1768, Su- 
sanna Parkman. She had died in 1777 and soon after her death, as 
Anna Sophia writes in her Journal, "brother Moore" came to 
Westborough and brought her a "black satten cloke that was my 
sisters, also an under Petticoat, and some of Sukey's knit Lace for 
a tucker." 

Tuckers were worn for nearly a hundred years as an essential 



no DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

way in his retvirn home. He bring.s me another Letter 
from Mr. West, containing No VII & VIII of Prophetic 
Computations and Remarks. He lodges here. 

12. At noon came my son Alexander of Marlb. in New 
Hamp.shire. I am so short out for good Hay that I send 
one horse to Mr. Eben'. Maynard, the other to Mr. Jon". 
Forbes'- to be kept. For Mr. Moore will Tarry over y-^ 
Sabbath. 

13. Alexander leaves us to go to some part of Con- 
necticut to pay y*^ woman he bought his place of. 

part of a woman's dress. They were made of linen or lace and 
covered the neck and shoulders above the bodice, which was 
usually cut low. The latest form of a tucker was merely a hand- 
kerchief crossed in front and tucked under the edge of the dress. 
Sometimes called neckpiece or modesty-piece. 

-Jonathan Forbes is a very prominent name for many years in 
the history of Westborough. There were four of the name. The 
first Jonathan was one of the original settlers of the town, an orig- 
inal member of the church and one of its early deacons. He lived 
near the site of the town reservoir. He died in 1768. 

His son Jonathan, born in 1715, married a daughter of Dea. 
vSimon Tainter, and was also a deacon of the church. He died in 
1756, leaving three children. 

His son Jonathan, the only one of the name living at this time, 
except his only little boy of four years, had married the daughter 
of Moses Brigham, and afterwards lived in his house on West 
Main Street. He lived at this time on the old homestead near the 
reservoir. 

He is buried in Memorial Cemetery, with only the inscription 
on the monument to give us any hint of the latter years of his life : 
"Afflictions sore long time I bore, 
Physicians were in vain, 
Till God did please witli death to seize 
And ease ine from my pains." 



DIARY OF REV. P^BENEZER PARKMAN. 



II I 



14. I read and briefly expound Zech. i. 7. Mr. Moore 
preached a. m. on Luke (?) 6. 46. Mrs. Maynard dined 
here. I did not read p. m. Mr. Moore preached on i Joh. 
5. 3. Jos. Grout J^ was admitted into y" Church. I ap- 
pointed y^ Communion & I^ecture and by Desire notified 
the Congregation to make a new choice of Choristers, after 
y*^ next Lecture. At eve Mr. Moore repeated y^ Heads of 
y^ afternoon Sermon, viz. on i. Joh. 5. 3. I earnestly pray 
for Success may attend both y^ Exercises, and y' we may 
all be inspired with that love of God which produces new 
Obedience. 

15. Mr. Moore leaves us to return to Rochester. I 
wrote by him to Mr. West. I rode in y^ Sleigh to visit 
poor Mr. Daniel How, who has a mortification in one of his 
Feet. But I first dind at Mr. Davis's. At Mr. Fessen- 
den's, (where Mr. How lives) I talked with him (Mr. 
Fessenden) about his not coming to meeting— but he gave 
me no Answer — 

Mr. Davis ^ furnished me with his Horse to ride back — 
for Elias proceeded in y" Sleigh to Northboro'. I made a 
visit to old Mrs. Kelley (who is about 85) was born March 
6 old Style 1694) and prayed there. 

16. Visit Deacon Wood. N. B. Yesterday a Thief 
stole out of his Bar about 100 Dollars. They pursued and 
found y" Villian, one Waters at Marlb. recovered in part 
and a Note for y^ rest. The Deacon made up, but Col. 

1 Isaac Davis, a young tanner, who came to town to teach his 
trade to Capt. vStephen Maynard's son, had married Anne Brigham, 
step-daughter of Capt. Maynard, in 1772. They had four sons, 
Phineas, Isaac, Joseph, and John,— Governor of Massachusetts and 



112 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Joh" Ward sent him to Prison. I went in to see Capt. J. 
Wood's wife and prayed there. 

17. Mr. Stone came, dind with me. He tells me his 
people have voted to sing Tate & Brady's Version, & began 
last Lord's Day. The High vSheriff of this County, W'". 
Greenleaf Esq. dind with us. He is going to Medfield to 
see his father Quincy, and called to take my Commands, 
but I had no letter writ. Mr. Stone preached my Lecture 



Senator of the United States. They were living at this time in 
the house recently occupied by Hiram Broaders. In 1781 they 
bought the Dea. Tonilin place, which has been known since as the 
Davis homestead. Isaac and his sons became wealthy men, and 
the}' and their descendants, who take pride in the name of Davis, 
have held many positions of honor and trust. 




FIRST DAVIS HOISK. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



"3 



on Ps. 103. 3. first clause. After Sermon and Blessing, 
the Church were by y^ Desire of y^ Deacons, stayed concern- 
ing Contributions. The Congregation staid also at y^ re- 
quest of y*^ Choristers, y* they might resign and y^ People 
might make a new Choice. 

They chose Mr. Eli Whitney by 41 votes : Mr. Eb"- Cham- 
berlain jr. by 31, Mr. Johnathan Batherick by 29, Mr. Elisha 
Parker by 23. My son Alexander came from Connecticut 
and lodged here. I wrote to President Langdon to excuse 
Elias' tardiness. And delivered Elias 100 Dollars. 

18. Elias sat out on Breck's mare for Cambridge, Alex- 
ander, after dinner, undertook his Journey home. Rec'd a 
Letter from Mr. Ebenezer Sparhawk of Templeton, which 
related to some uneasiness's there, I wrote an Answer. 

At eve came two of Timothy's brothers. Elias and John 
Bryant from Stoneham on Foot. They lodged here. 

19. Mr. Timothy Parker of Templeton came in, to whom 
I committed my Letter to Mr. Sparhawk. The rigorous 
weather excites Pity to Elias at Coll. 

20. The Bryants left us a. m. to go to Littleton and 
thence home, when I had prepared nigh as much as I in- 
tended to deliver came a young gentleman with Mr. Elijah 
Brigham, viz. Mr. Caleb Alexander, who was from North- 
field, and lodged here. He was graduated at Yale College, 
approbated by the Association at New London. 

21. Mr. Aaron Hutchinson jun'' came from Marlboro', 
to preach for me, today, but Mr. Alexander preached a. m. 
on Isa : 5. 4. I read Isa : 53. both y^ young Gentlemen at- 
tended with us at y*^ Sacrament, which was administered. 
Mrs. Maynard dind here. p. m. Mr. Hutchinson on Mat : 

8 



114 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

25. 46. I detained y"^ Church and read a Letter from y'= 
South-west Parish in Bolton, requesting assistance in a Fast 
and gathering a Church. The Church voted compHance 
and Dr. Hawes and Dea. Wood Delegates. Mr. Hutchin- 
son goes to Grafton. Mr. Alexander lodges here. His 
horse at Mr. Elijah Hardy's. 

22. Mr. Alexander here for it is a great storm. He 
lodges here. 

23. Mr. Hardy came to wait on Mr. Alexander to his 
house. 

I am in great Doubt about my going to y*^ Fast &c. at 
Bolton, p. M. Dea. Wood here to see what I shall be like 
to do. I have endeavored to prepare my S. if I should. 
Both y^ Roads and y^ Weather very unpromising. 

24. Instead of going to Mr. W'hitney's in y'^ w^ay of Bol- 
ton (as I had planned) it proved so tempestuous, so violent 
a snow-storm, y' I could scarcely go out of Doors at all. 
Ephraim's brother EHsha was here and dind with us. He 
speaks of y^ Straits and Difficulties to which many of y'^ Peo- 
ple of Bolton are reduced, for want of Bread and how scarce 
Meat is there. May y'= great Provider Pity y'", especially 
at this Season, and all others y^ are exposed in this terrible 
Storm ! in Special y' are at Sea. 

25. The Storm contiiities : and y'' Siiozv is very deep. Go- 
ing to Bolton Fast and Council, I suppose is utterh' im- 
practicable. I am employed by my s. in my Study. 

But about 10 or 11 the Fierceness of y*^ Storm abated and 
the Sun appeared. Yet p. m. y'^ Heavens are clouded again. 

26. Go on with my preparations for y*^ Sabbatli. 

P. M. came Mr. Alexander accompanied by his uncle VlW- 



DIARY OF REV. EBKNEZER PARKMAN. II5 

ler. Stays not long. Mr. Caleb Harrington invites and 
waits upon him to his House, and thence he intends to go 
to Master Moses Brigham's, who is to be found at his School, 
or at his I,odging, Mr. Andrews. 

27. Tho y*^ Snow was troublesome, yet Ephraim is em- 
ployed in fetching two load of Posts and Rails ( partly fin- 
ished) from Beeton's. 

28. A. M. on Zech. 11. thro' out. p. m. on Rev: 14. 7 to 
P 14. with addition of four uses in a loose Paper. No stran- 
ger to dine. At eve. Mr. Elijah Brigham came with Breck, 
and such of his Family as could come, to join in y'^ Repet" 
Singing &c. 

29. John Baker undertakes his Journey to Andover, 
where he is going to School to learn Eatin. He calls here 
to borrow an Accidence, which I let him have. May God 
be his Guardian and grant Success ! 

30. Engaged in Various Readings &c a. m. — p. m. came 
Parkman Bradshaw^ from Brookfield. I understand y^ y^ 
Circumstances of my Son Ebenezer are difficult. He has 
hired of Mr. Hitchcock y^ House which his son Bradshaw 
took a Eease of. Sent Mr. Joseph Bond Mr. Bradshaw' s 
Horse to keep. He himself lodges here. Rec'd Eetters 
from Mr. Whitney about a Contribution for Rhode Island 
people and concerning y'^ Fast &c. at Bolton. 

31. Mr. Bradshaw sett out for Cambridge. I rode to 
visit Mr. Stone, of Southboro' Dind there. He tells me his 
son-in-law Bangs of Hardwick is dead. p. m. I went with 
Mr. Stone to y'^' Meeting House where Mr. Luke Wilder held 
a Singing. In returning, I borrowed and brot home Clark's 
Eives of eminent Persons Fol. Called at Mr. Gale's, his 



Il6 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Father being poorly. At Mr. Andrews — have not been 
there since their Marriage till now. 

The roads are exceeding Dirty, y'^ snow melting apace. 
This Ride was followed by Bad Cramp in y^ Night. 

May y*^ Lord pardon y*^ Sins of this Month, & .spare me &c. 

April 1779- 

Mr. Baldwin and his wife came from Boston. This morn- 
ing from Gale's, where they lodged last night, but here to 
Breakfast. He says y*^ Vessel which Breck and Samuel had 
interest in, was presentlj'^ upon Sailing out, was captured in 
Cape Cod Harbour, by a privateer of only 6, 2 pounders 
whereas they had 8 4 pounders. But y^ Capt. had carried 
y^ Cash which was }4 y^ Worth ashore, quilted in his Jacket, 
and therefore saved it. Mr. Baldwin lodges here. 

2. My son and Dauter Baldwin left us to go to Brook- 
field, a Marvellous Day for Warmth. Col. Baldwin says if 
I send my Cattle to his pasture they shall fare as well as his 
will. Mr. John Forbes ^ here and dines with us. He brings 
me and I read y'^ Constitution of y'' State of Vermont. Mr. 
Fish wrote a Letter to me to desire me to forward a Subscrip- 
tion for his Reply to Mr Foster of Leicester, concerning 



1 Mr. John Forbes was a son of the second Jonathan Forbes and 
Joanna Tainter. Otter Creek, where he settled with his family, 
is a stream in Rutland County, Vermont, empt3-ing into Lake 
Chaniplain. A year before this, as we learn from the Church Rec- 
ords, the Westborough Church had contributed £12. 18/. od, for his 
relief on account of being driven away from his home by the enemy, 
and also on account of the sickness and death of his wife. Although 
he had eight children, the genealogical record ends with them. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 117 

Infant Baptism. I headed a paper, subscribed and set it 
agoing. Several Young Gentlemen being present, viz. Sr. 
Crosby, Elijah Brigham and Abraham Holland. The 
weather wonderful warm &c. 

3. Alter and enlarge y^ Garden. Eph Parker setts out 
stumps, roots &c. I read y" Constitution of Govn"" in y^ 
State of Vermont. 

4. Read Zech III. and my exerci.se was upon y"" first 5 
Verses. Mrs. Maynard dind with us. p. m. on Rev: 14. 7 
middle clauses, which may God be graciously plea.«ed to 
bless to all of us ! 

5. Capt. Fisher here a. m. borrows y^ London minister's 
Sermons on Prayer. I write to Mrs. Brown, widow at my 
son Samuel's at Boston, concerning Letters sent by a Fe- 
male Society at Boston to Father Eoring. 

p. M. I had Dr. Hawes' mare to go to Bolton. I first 
rode over to see Mr. Daniel How, whose case, with his mor- 
tifying Toe is deplorable ! He was somewhat free to speak. 
I prayed with him. Proceeded to Mr. Whitney's and lodged 
there. 

6. Mr. Whitney and I rode to Mr. Benj. Baily's in Bol- 
ton, where y'^ Pastors and Churches of Westb. y^ first in 
Shrewsbury, Northboro and Stow met. The East Church 
in Sudbury did not come. 

It was appointed a day of Prayer, Humiliation and Fast- 
ing. We assembled at Mr. Samuel Jones' House, Mr. 
Newel prayed. Mr. Sumner preached a seasonable sermon 
on Ps. 122. 8. I prayed after y^ Sermon. We sung twice, 
but had only one Exercise. After refreshing, formed into 
a Council. I was Moderator and Mr. Whitney Scribe. The 



Il8 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Candidates for Communion met us at Mr. Bailey's and ex- 
pressed their desires to be formed into a church state. The 
members of divers Churches presented their Dismissions. 
We made the needful Enquirys into their agreement and 
mutual Satisfaction with one another. And tho the}- had 
in times past been in unhappy Disquietments, 3'et conde- 
scended and were united, thro' y'^ great Goodness of God 
and preparations were made for accomplishing y'^ Solenui 
Work. I lodged there. 

7. The Council met, and y^ Brethren assembled. After 
prayer, conferred. Something was prepared for y^ Breth- 
ren, by way of mutual Concession and acknowledgement of 
past offences, especially y*^ Wally Brethren in setting up that 
church & some of the members disturbing other churches 
and Mutual forgiveness. From such Material, drawn up, 
one of y*^ Council compiled Result: At Mr. Benj. Baily's, 
to whose son I find Sally Crosby is married and lives there. 

p. M. The Result was finished and read, was voted 
by y*^ Council, then Read to and it was voted by y« Brethren 
to accept of and conform to it, except Col. Silas Bailey, who 
was unavoidably obliged to withdraw : and Mr. Eph. Fair- 
bank, who wanted some Eiberty about communicating with 
Mr. Walley's Church, if he was there accidentally, but noth- 
ing could be granted to him of that kind, upon which he 
chose to wave joining with y'". for y*^ present. A Covenant 
was read to y'" in which they term themselves Congrega- 
tional (not Independents) to which they consented and 
signed it. And if y^ other Brethren should within a few 
days incline to come and consent, and sign as they had done, 
it should be accepted as if it had been done today. This 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. IIQ 

very solemn Transaction performed, they were by y*^ Mod- 
erator openly announced and declared to be a Church of y^ 
Lord Jesus Christ, by y'^ Name of y^ South Church of Christ 
in Bolton, who were then presented to God in an address of 
Gratulation and Supplication by y'^ Moderator. In y*^ Coun- 
cil y^ Votes were unanimous, in the Church, next to ; For 
which may all Glory be given to y^ most High ! 

The Church chose Mr. Whitney to be their Moderator 
pro temp. I returned with Mr. Whitney so far as to his 
House & lodged there again. 

8. Returned home (calling a little while at Capt. May- 
nard's) and found thro God's Goodness all in safety, p. m. 
Miss Patty Fish here. N. B.. Polly Howard works here 
for Sophy, making L,ace. 

9. Capt. Maynard here, and wants to be about y'' Work 
of Straitning y^ Road,^ through my land back of y^ Meeting 

1 Unfortunately no map exists of the Westborough of Mr. Park- 
man's day, and we have to reconstruct the roads from the lay-outs. 
This road toward Nurse's was probably towards Ebenezer Nurse 
whose land adjoined John Maynard 's, and in the direction of the 
present Summer Street. 

In 1756, according to the Town Records, a road was laid out as 
follows: "Beginning at the Road running through Mr. Samuel 
William's land, then running partly on land that was left for a high- 
way and partly on Capt. John Maynard's land, then turning and 
running through John Maynard's land to the Rev. Mr. Park- 
man's land, then running through Mr. Parkman's land to the land 
the Meeting-house now stands on, and to the Great Road South of 
the Meeting-house." 

This is evidently the road that was straightened — John May- 
nard's land was bounded westerly and northerly by the Burying- 
place, easterly by Samuel William's land, and southerly by land 
of Ebenezer Nurse. 



I20 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

House toward Nurse's. My son Gushing and his son John 
came — lodged here: but Mr. C's horse is sent to Mr. 
Bond's. N. B. My Dauter C. has been exceedingly ill 
for some time : and is reduced to a very weak State 

10. Mr. Gushing and Dr. Stinsson dind here. 

11. Mr. Gushing preached, a. m on Psal. i6. ii. p. m. 
on Eccl. 8. II. N. B. He read y-^ Gh. & Psalm. 

May God grant His Blessing on y*^ Exercises of y^ Day ! 

12. Dr. Hall of Sutton going to Boston calls and dines 
here, (with Mr. Gushing), p. m. tho it rained, they both 
took leave. Mr. G. goes to Shrewsbury, but leaves his son 
John here to live with us a while. 

13. My sheep grow very troublesome, to Mr. Newton. 
I rode over to Mr. John Kelley's to see his wife — prayed 
with her. Reproved him for his absenting from public 
Worship. Visited at Mr. Stephen Gook's.^ 

Elias came home, rode upon Dr. Hawes' horse. N. B. 
He went from Gollege this morning to Boston, and j-et 
came home before night, y^ Sun considerable Heighth. 

14. Fine weather — Gardening, plant Trees — move y'^ 
Bees. W". Deadman a soldier from Stoneham going to y^ 

Gamp near Manor, breaks fast here — he brings a Letter 

from Tim's Mother — she writes of y<^ death of her Son-in- 
law, Et. Daniel Bryant. 

^Stephen Cook was a brother of Thomas, and son of Cornelius. 
He had been imprisoned twenty-five years before this, with his 
brother Robert, for killing an Indian at Stockbridge, but it seems to 
have been a less heinous offence than robbing Abner Newton's house. 

He seemed to have been the best of Cornelius Cook's family, and 
served on the school committee in 1780. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 12 1 

15. Old Mr. W" Nurse ^ dies this morning, aged S- 
years. I walked over to see old Mr. Jonah Warrin & 
prayed there. Cousin Maynard sent over an Horse for her 
aunt, and Stephen to wait upon her, not immediately to 
return. 

Dr. Hall returning from Boston called here. 

N. B. I hear that Mr. Grosvenor has asked a dismission 
from his Pastoral-Relation. I read Mr. Wigglesworth's and 
Mr. Tucker's Dudleian Lectures. 

16. Attended and prayed at y^ Funeral of Old Mr. W". 
Nurse. He was 83 sometime in last month. I had consid- 
erable discourse with Ensign Fay. Elias went p. m. to Con- 
cord with Cart, Boxes and Horse. Mr. Amos Parker, 
Eph-"'^ Father here. He is obliged with a No. of Lelock 
Trees. At eve Mrs. P. returns home. Hear that a girl has 
set Fire to Mr. Kendal's House at New Salem, the same 
that fired Mr. Fessenden's at Walpole. She is committed 
to Jayl. 



1 William Nurse, son of Benj. Nurse, of Framingham, and grand- 
son of that Rebecca Nurse, of Salem, who was hanged as a witch. 
He had married Rebecca Fay, of Westborough, and settled in 1729, 
on Shrewsbury house lot No. 3, which was set off to Westborough 
in 1741, and was the same farm still owned and occupied by his de- 
scendants, the family of the late Dea. B. A. Nourse. 

He left six children, some of whom Mr. Parkman occasionally 
mentions in the Journal. 

Mary, married Eleazar Williams, of Westborough. 

Lydia, born in 1727. 

Daniel, in 1729. 

Benjamin, in 1731. 

Rebecca, in 1734, and 

Priscilla, in 1736. 



122 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

17. Elias returns from Concord: and relates a tragical 
story of one Whitne}^ of Townsend, who is suspected to 
have poisoned his Wife. 

1 8. A. M. on Zech. 3. 6-7. P. M. on i Thes. 4. 13. Oc- 
casioned by y*^ Death of Mr. W"\ Nunse. May Divine Bless- 
ing accompany ! 

19. Breck went to Boston. I sent by him 28 I^etters, of 
y^ private female Society to y"^ late venerable Father Loring, 
to y® care of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, widow, heretofore Lea- 
zenby : and a number more to and from Mrs. Mehitabel Hy- 
stop of Brookline, to y<^ care of y'^ Rev. Mr. Jackson. 

20. A. M. Was at Dea. Wood's, at his Son's, and at 
Mr. Dix's (who lives at Capt. Wood's) but he w^as not at 
home. p. M. Visit Mrs. Mallet, who is sick of a Fever, 
rode to Col. Brigham's, to Capt. Jonas Brigham's. Neither 
of y*^ Men at home. 

Rec'd a letter from Elijah Brigham A. B. respecting So- 
phy. 

2 1 . Capt. Majaiard Solicits me about moving my Walls 
on y^ north we.st, and straightening y'^ Road from y" Meeting 
House to y^ Northward. He promises it shall not be to my 
Damage. He will be at y^ Charge and will measure y^ Eand, 
that I may have Equivalent. N. B. In some perplexity 
about getting up a pair of Cart Wheels from Monroe's, 
which Billy has made for me. Capt. undertakes to get y"' 
up, Breck returns from Boston, and brot me a letter from 
Mrs. Eliz. Brown of y^ Female Society of Boston. 

22. Mr. Grosvenor, on his Journey to Dr. Kittredge, at 
Tewkesbury, for help in his utterance, calls here. May 
God grant success! Mr. Solomon Maynard for Capt. May- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 23 

nard brings my Cart Wheels in a Waggon, and goes with y'" 
to Mr. Joseph Smith's to have y'^ Tire put onto y"\ Isaac 
Baldwin from Dummer School, going to Erookfield, calls 
and refreshes here. 

23. Capt. Maynard and his people, with two Wallers 
from vSutton, begin to move my Wall beyond y*^ Orchard to 
make y"" Road from y'' Meeting House towards Nurse's 
straight, Hannah Whitney, (sister of Mr. John Harring- 
ton's Wife; came to me, confessing y^ sin of Fornication 
and desires to make her Peace with God and his people. 

24. Mr. Gro.svenor returns from Tewkesbury and dines 
here. p. m. my son Samuel and his Wife came from Boston 
two days ago, and today here. Sally is still but indisposed. 

By rea.son of variet}- of company, was necessarily obliged 
to desist from what I was preparing for y'^ Public tomorrow. 

25. Very much on consideration of my Dauter-in-law I 
chose y'^ Subject of y'^ Day. Read Cantic. 8 and delivered y'' 
Sermons formerly preached on V. 5.^ A. M. to p. 8. P. M. 
to p. 15. Which may God graciously accept! 

26. I was much taken up in trying (tho fruitlessly) to 
get an Horse for Elias to go with y^ Cattle to Brookfield. 



1 The text is: " Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness 
leaning upon her beloved ? I raised thee up under the appletree, 
there thy mother brought thee forth ; there she brought thee forth 
that bare thee." 

We wonder if " dauter Sally " did not feel that she and "her be- 
loved " had come up to the wilderness, instead of from it, and if 
she realized that the two long sermons, fifteen pages in Mr. Park- 
man's minute hand, were preached especially for her. 

The next Sunday he gives her another sermon on the same sub- 
ject. 



124 DIARY OF KEV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

27. My son Samuel returned to Boston, leaving his 
Wife, with his Chaise here ; who before dinner grew so un- 
easy, that with Tears, she prayed me to get some Neigh- 
bors to carry her in her chaise to Boston. Indeed her 
husband was but just out of sight, when she repented her 
staying behind, and w^ould have had him called back. 

N. B. I sent by my Son to Mrs. Eliz. Brown, at her 
request for some of his papers, two manu.script sermons of 
Mr. Loring, one on I. Joh. 4. 9. the other on Gal. 2. 20 

We are every day perplexed b}- y'- unruliness of y^' Sheep. 

28. The Sheep were so disorderly I was forced to go to 
my Friend, Squire Baker, to request him, again to take y"-" 
Sheep to pasture, and to assist me in getting my young 
Cattle to Brookfield, both which he consents to. 

29. The Sheep are sent to Squire Baker's pasture to be 
kept there till after Shearing, p. m. came Mr. W" May 
and with him, Mr. Solomon Walcott, a young preacher, 
from Mansfield, Mr. May went to y'^ Squire's, Mr. Walcott 
lodged at ye Shop. 

30. Elias left us to go to Cambridge, and to Charleston, 
on Mr Jon" Fay's Horse. Mr. May went with Elias to 
Cambridge. Eli Forbes, from Cape Ann, by y^ way ot 
Boston, came and lodged here. He brings me a Letter 
from his Father, which relates many sorrowful things, which 
have befallen them, particularly y'^ death of Col. John 
Stevens, Mr. Solomon Parsons and his wife. Mr. Rogers 
has left his people for want of Support. Mr. Cleaveland at 
Sandy Bay is on y*= wing, Mr. Parsons of vSquani at present 
under di.sgrace &c. &c. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 25 

May 1779. 

My Dauter in Law, Salley, rides in her Chaise with l£li 
Forbes to Brookfield. 

2. Did not read publickly because I had not done with 
y^^ former passages already read. viz. Zeph. 3. 8, which I 
preached on a. m. and on Cant 8. i. p. m. Mr. Adonijah's 
Rice's wife dind here. May God bless y'' Word delivered. 

Mr. W"\ May came at eve lodged here. 

3. Mrs. Mallet remains ill. I visited her, and there was 
also old Mrs. Stone (one of y'^ poor from Charlestown) I 
prayed with y'". 

N. B. I was met by Mr. Stockwell Shoemaker, and could 
not avoid discoursing with him concerning y^ amazing alter- 
ation of y'^ Price of Things, for I this day paid S/x Dollars 
for only y^ making of a pair of Shooes for me, viz. by Mr. 
James Smith who works at Capt. Fisher's, which is 12 times 
as much as I gave for y^ last Pair but one, for which I gave 
half a Dollar, at Mr. Barn. Newton's. N. B. Mr. May 
has bought of Joseph Lee of Cambridge Esq. 1420 acres of 
Land in Montague, and has paid for it. It stood him be- 
tween 4 and 5 Thousand pounds. L. M. 

N. B. As I received a Letter yesterday noon from 
Ensign Aaron Warrin, desiring me to preach next Fast 
Day on i Chron. 4. 10. toda}^ began to write upon it. 

4. Mr. David Clark of Ashburnham came to see us. 
N. B. No word of Complaint about his son Ben: who is 
in y'^ Continental service. Mr. Amos Parker of Shrewsbury 
here, his business with his son. 

5. My Dauter-in-law returns with Eli Forbes from 



126 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Brookfield. Benj. Bancroft of vSutton vStores his I^oad in 
my Barn. 

6. General Fast throout y'^ United vStates. The fore- 
noon exercises were (not designedly) exceeding long. A. 
M. on the text requested by Ensign Warren, viz. i Chron. 
4. 10, but I read and made some remarks upon v. 9. p. m. 
Used part of sermon on Jer. 8. 5, but ^Yith many enlarge- 
ments. O y' God would please to accept our sacrifices, and 
quicken us to conform to his hoi}' Word I 

Col. Job. Gushing, Maj"" Ezra Beeman were at meeting 
p. M, and refreshed themselves with us at eve. They were 
here upon y*^ Business of Raising a number of Men to go 
to Rhode Island. 

7. Eli Forbes Returns to Cambridge and Boston. vSally 
tarries with us. I send by Eli to Elias, Ferguson's Astron- 
omy, with a Letter against his Selling Books, which he has 
had of me, and have writ to Eli's Father, particularly to 
send for his Sheep after Shearing. 

N. B. Breck has bought another horse, which his 
brother Samuel procured for him, of Major Stillman at 
Boston. P. Isl. 1 rode to Mr. Thomas Bellows to see him in 
his weak and low condition, and prayed with him and his 
son's Family — thence I proceed to divers Other of y^^ Fam- 
ilies in y' corner, viz. Mr. Chamberlain.-' N. B. his son 
Daniel gives me half a bushel of Indian Corn, and lends 

1 Mr. rarknian, this lovely May day, rode dowu the Flanders 
Road, a street which took its name, according to tradition, from 
the quarrelsome habits of the farmers living thereon, a tradition 
which seems well authenticated from the fact that in some old 
deeds it is called " Contention Road." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 127 

me a bushel and half more. I called at Mr. Nat. Chamber- 
lain's went into widow Bellow's, and stayed some time at 
Ensign Snow's— drank Tea there &c. At home found 
Capt. John Wood & his Lady, who make a visit here. 

8. Wrote to Mr. Whitney of Northboro' for y^ Result 
of Bolton Council. Breck goes to Holden p. m. Mr. 
George Stimson was here and carried away from my barn 
four bushels (as he says) of Indian Corn, which is part of 
vMoad stored there by Benj. Bancroft on last Wednesday, 
for which he gave me his Receipt. He says the load is his, 
& that he Shall soon take away y<= Rest of it. Mr. Isaac 
Miller was here and signed an acknowledgement. 

9. With some amendments I went on a. m. and finished 
on Jer. 8. 5 last clause. Administered y^ Lord's Supper. 
N. B. Br. Isaac Miller was restored. Mrs. Maynard dind 
here, as did one Daniel Holbrook, whom Mrs. Parkman 
saw to be a stranger and invited in. p. m. on Jer. 5. 20-25 
to page 9. 

10. I visited Mrs. Mallet, and old Lieut. Thomas For- 
bush and his wife. Breck and his Family brot and eat 
their dinner with us, which was so much y'^ more agreeable 
and sociable. 

p. M. Mr. Waters who has been preaching at Newtown 
here and informs me of y^ Death of Dr. Wheelock, presi- 
dent of y<^ College at Dartmouth, and of Dr. Winthrop, 
professor of Matham. & Philosophy at Cambridge. The 
last was buryed at Cambridge May i . O y' God would 
show compassion on y^ bereaved Semenerrys! 

Mr. Noah Hardy's wife here. Mr. Elijah Brigham 
brings his classmate Mr. Foot. They all drink coffee. 



128 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

At eve, Mr. George Stimson here about y'' Load Stored 
in my Barn, but took none of it away. N. B. John Forbes 
came to spin. 

IT. Visit Mr. Daniel How, & prayed with him — went 
to Mr. Benj. Howe's — called to see Mrs. Kelly. Sophy 
goes to Mr. Amos Parkers at Shrewsbury. Col. Baldwin 
& his son Isaac came. Sarah Miller came to spin. Isaac 
Forbush takes away by order of Benj. Bancroft the re- 
mainder of y*^ Load above said. Col. Baldwin and his son 
lodge at Breck's. Their horses are put into y"^ burying- 
place, our Hay being gone. 

12. Col. Baldwin puts one of his horses into Salley's 
Chaise, and waits upon her to Boston. Isaac to Boston in 
his way to Byfield. I read Logan's Cicero of Old Age. 

13. Breck undertakes to new modell y^ Frame for the 
Grape Vine in y^ Garden to run upon : and Parker and 
Timothy help him. I am still engaged in Logan's Cicero 
of old age, with very useful notes. 

14. Breck, Parker and Tim, are still upon y" \'ine and 
garden. 

15. Mr. Parker (Eph'"'s Father) here. Eph.'". goes 
home, & carries John Cushing to Shrewsbury. 

16. Preached again on i Chron. 4. 10. Mr. Elijah Brig- 
ham dind with us. 

p. :m. repeated on Jer. 5. 25 with many omissions and 
alterations. 

17. Visit old Mr. Bellows, who is become weaker. 
Prayed and discoursed with him. Visit at Mr. Eb"^ Cham- 
berlain jun''. He presents me half a bushel of Indian meal 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 129 

—tells me his Br-- Daniel went to Marblehead with a load of 
Indian and Rye, and had 25 Dollars p. Bushel. 

18. I rode Breck's mare to Bolton, it being Association, 
Messrs. Smith, ^ Harrington, Bigelow, Newell present- 
Messrs. Stone, Bridge and Whitney absent. Mr. Goss^ 
prayed and gave a Concio on Joh. 4. 36. especially latter 
part, with a particular application to what was lately done 
at ye Council in Bolton, accompanyed with Sad Complaints 
—which after y^ exercise was over, I made reply to. But 
we parted in peace. In returning I called at Capt. Edward 
Johnson's and drank Tea there. Stopped at Mr. Whitney's 
and lodged there. 



i Rev. Aarou Smith was ordained pastor of the Marlborough 
Church in 1740. He was dismissed a year before this, ostensibly 
on "account of his infirmity and weakness, which greatly affected 
his lungs and his voice in particular." The Mr. Bridge of whom 
Mr. Parkman often speaks was settled in East Sudbury, and had 
married Mr. Smith's daughter. Mr. Smith lived with them until 
his death, two years after this, at the age of sixty-seven. 

He was rather unpopular as a minister, and supposed to have an 
inclination to the tory cause. Some one had even gone so far, two 
years before, as to discharge two loaded guns into his room 
through the window. His house still stands in Marlborough, and 
some years ago the present owner extracted the bullets from a 
beam. 

-Mr. Goss, of Bohou, "A tall spare man of stern aspect and not 
of gentle or winning manners. He appears to be a man of indom- 
itable will and somewhat forbidding presence. With many of 
his brethren, he entertained high notions of clerical authority, a 
high church Puritan, as he might be styled. In the war of our 
Independence, he took sides with the royalists, and was a thorough- 
going Tory, as was his son Thomas, who fled to Annapolis, N.'s., 
where he endid his davs." 



130 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

19. In my way home I went to see Mrs. Dolly Rice. 
N. B. her Dauter Adams resides there. I called at Mr. 

Andrews, newly come to live in y*^ house y^ was Mr. 

Tinney's. Visited Mr. Dan' How who still grows worse — 
at Capt. Maynard's to see Stephen who has been languish- 
ing. Dind at home. p. M. Mr. Waters on his wa}^ to 
Newtown to preach for Mr. Merriam. Capt. Goddard of 
Sutton here. Informs me of his raising Madder and Malage 
Grapes. 

20. A. M. Mr. Belknap came in to see me and discour.sed 
abt ni}' circumstances and ^-"^ neces.sary supplies. The 
affairs coming on in y'" Town Meeting p. m. Mr. Daniel 
Nur.se here to renew the Request of his two Sisters, y' there 
maj' be a Fast kept at theirs. I am obliged to take .some 
time to consider of it. 

N. B. The Town debated upon making me some further 
allowance, considering the vast increase of y'^ Necessaries 
of Life. But it passed negatively. 

21. The proceedings of y Town yesterday were to my 
Surpri.se. 

22. Mrs. Scott is improved to work here. vSophy 
droops. 

23. A. M. on Zech. III. 9. 10. Cousen Sanuiel l^rig- 
liam,^ besides our vSpinners, John Forbes and Sarah Miller, 

^ Dr. vSamuel Brighani, a son of IMrs. vStepheii Maynard, conse- 
quently Mrs. Parkmau's nephew. He was a graduate of Dartmouth 
College, although in 1777 he served as paymaster in Washington's 
army. He studied medicine with Dr. Ball, of Northborough, and 
married the doctor's sister, Mary. He practiced for a while in 
Shrewsbury, until "a casualty befel him which forced him for life 
almost entirely from practice." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PAKKMAN. 



13 



dind here. N. B. Mr. Batherick stops me in my going 
to meeting p. m. and acquaints me that Mr. Jonas Bradish 
was here, and desired y- Church might be desired to stay 
after y« Exercises. It was sudden, and at that juncture, 
an interruption. But I spoke to Mr. Bradish and several 
of y- Brethren, who he had been talking with, viz. Capt. 
Jonas Brigham, cS: Mr. Sam' Forbush who joined in y^ 
(verbal) Request y* the Church might be spoke to, and a 
meeting appointed. 

P. M. I read Eph. 5 and preached on v. 6. 

I detained y*^ Church, and appointed a Meeting on Tues- 
day next at 2 p. m. Sophy not well and took physick this 
morning, but knew it not till it worked. 

24. I went to Squire Baker's. Mr. Jonas Bradish there, 
who gives me reason to expect today some such Paper 
from him as he designs to lay before y^ Church, but (as 
usual ) disappoints me. Squire Baker again relieves me as 
to pasturing my sheep, if I will obtain of Mr. Elisha Forbes 
to keep his uncle pli's nine. 

Miss Eliza Beals came in to see me and consult me upon 
her Spiritual State— mentions several Scriptures She would 
have me preach upon, but which I have already. As to 
her bodily State, she is grown exceeding dropsical. 

At eve came Mr. John Belknap Jun-" of New Braintree, 
and is full of exceptions against Mr. Foster— has got also 
Mr. Isaac Foster's (the father's) ordination sermon preached 
at New Braintree. He leaves it for me to read. 

25. I sent for Mr. Elisha Forbes, who came and told me 
he would take care of his uncle's nine sheep, that they may 
not trouble me any more. No Mr. Bradi.sh though I staid 



132 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

at home to wait on him. At half after 10 I received his 
Letter to be laid before y*^ Church, p. m. Church Meeting, 
but not till after three by reason of y"" member's Delin- 
quency. Mr. Bradish came — his paper read. I answered 
it. Many debates ensued. At length he confesses in such 
a manner as that the Church voted Acceptance, and for y"= 
Sake of peace, I conceived it best to forgive him, and thus 
we emerged from this Difficulty, for which I am heartily 
thankful ! We began and ended with prayer. 

26. Wrote (and copied) a Certificate concerning Jonas 
Bradish directed to Rev. Mr. Jos. Brown of Winchendon. 

This day of great Solemnity when y'^ Heads of y*^ Tribes 
assemble together for y'= grand purposes of Seeking y'= God 
of our Fathers, and hearing what God y^ Lord has to say 
to us as likewise to exercise that invaluable privilege of 
choosing y*^ Counsellors for this State — and this happ}' Sea- 
son for y^ Convention of Ministers. I am obliged in pru- 
dence all things considered to stay at Home, where, how- 
ever may my Heart join with all those who gratefully cele- 
brate y^ praises of God giving thanks to His Name, and 
would earnestly implore pardoning Mercy for y^ whole Land 1 
and the continuance of all public and personal Blessing, that 
the judgments of God may be removed, that we may be ex- 
tricated out of our Difficulties, and be lead in y*^ Paths ot 
Rest and Peace ! 

27. Visited poor John Bond, under grievous lameness, 
and prayed with him — dined at Col. Brigham's, in my way 
to old Mrs. Beaman, who I visited and prayed with. Mr. 
John Belknap jun. here again, about Mr. Daniel Foster's 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 133 

Doctrines. I have read his F's sermon, with the notes. 
Mr. Ithamar Bellows dies about 5 p. m. 

28. Mr. John Belknap calls once more, as he is return- 
ing home takes y^ Book he lent me — is very free, against 
Mr. Foster and deeply concerned what will be y^ Event. 

p. M. Mr. W"\ Brigham's wife, near neighbor to Col. 
Brigham here, drinks Coifee with us &c. My kinsman, 
Mr. Thos. Needham, returning from camp at Fish-kill to 
his family at Salem, comes in to see me — he is more out of 
Health than w^hen he was here last )''ear, and thinks not to 
go to y^ Army again. 

29. Attended Mr. Ithamar Bellows Funeral and prayed. 
May God please to sanctifie y*^ Death of y*^ aged Brother 
to us! 

30. A. M. Read Zech. IV. and gave expository notes 
on y*^ former part, but preached on Eph. 5. 6. Preached 
p. M. on Rom. 8. 11. by reason of Mr. Bellows death. Mr. 
Sam. Barrett of Hopkinton and Mrs. Maynard dind here. 

31. Mr. Broaders comes and informs me of y^ Death 
of Mr. Dan' How, which occurred yesterday towards night. 
Aged 54 last October. N. B. I appointed a Catechizing 
on next Thursday A. & p. m. , and am. (by divine assistance) 
to preach at y^ private Meeting tomorrow : so that the 
Funeral must be tomorrow morning, and he must be buryed 
in Northboro in that south part^ where his Father and 
Mother were interred. 

^This burying-ground was used when Westborough and North- 
borough were one town. It is now overgrown with large trees, but 
very many graves can still be traced. A few are marked with names 
and dates on the headstones, more, simply by a common field stone 



134 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Mr. Willard of Mendon and Mr. Edmund Foster, preacher 
at Marlboro' having changed yesterday, met and baited 
here. Breck receives of me ^.300 which I commit to him 
as either lending it to him or partly to pay for a yoke of 
oxen bot of Mr. Crooks for ^200, and y^ remaining 100 to 
trade with as may be most prudent to save y^ sinking. Old 
Mr. Wait of Ashburham here. Lt. Grout here to enquire 
into y^ meeting at his House. 

June 1779 

I attended y^ Funeral of Mr. Daniel How, who dyed at 
Mr. Fessenden's. Mr. Woodward of Weston and his Ladie, 
on a journey to Hartford, Springfield &c. called and dind 
here. 

p. M. I preached at Lt. Grout's on Lam. i. 9. into page 

gth 

2. Breck returns from Boston. Eph'". Parker is prepar- 
ing to go with the Oxen and Horse to Waltham for earthen 
Ware. I wrote a letter for Sister Champney to Mr. Ripley 
of Concord, about her Chest. I covered it with a Letter to 
my Son W" in reply to his of May 24, received by Breck. 

3. Eph"\ went to Waltham, sat out about 3 a. m. N. 
B. Timothy Bryant's Time being out, he went with 
Parker, in order to return to his Mother at Stoneham. I 
gave him eight dollars, which was as much as I could 
spare. I wrote by him to his Mother May God be the 
guardian of his Youth ! Mr. Elisha Forbes directs that his 
uncle Eli's sheep be sent to his pasture, and his brother 



at the head and foot. The burying-ground is now in Northborough, 
on Brigham Street, a short distance from the Westborough line. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



135 



Simon, with Billy Spring, drives 3'" there. I catechize at 
y« Meeting House. 34 Boys. 44 Girls. After catechizing 
I married Phineas Hardy to Sarah Wiman. He gave me 
Eight Dollars. 

N. B. Mr. Joseph Harrington was here and manifested 
Disgust at y*^ Proceedings of y^ late Council at Bolton. At 
eve, but before Sun.setting, I by Request of Mr. Sam'l 
Forbush, went to his House. He has been raising a new 
Barn,^ and moving part of an Old One. I was at their 
Supper, after which we Sang part of Ps. 112. 

4. Eph"' Parker returned from Waltham with a load of 
earthen ware for Breck. Mrs. Ruth Godfrey came to see us, 
and tarrys over night with us. 

5. Mrs. Godfrey returns home. She is very much out 
of Health, and (I understand) reduced in worldly Circum- 
stances. 

6. Preached on Zech. IV. 6-10. Mrs. Maynard dind 
here. 

p. M. preached on Rom. 8. 11. I did not read today. 

7. Col. Cushing brot my Grandson John Cushing from 
Shrewsbury, to reside a while with us. Breck acquaints 
me with his great Eosses by y^ Remarkable Depreciation 
of ye medium, p. m. Messrs. Daniel Forbes and Joseph 
Harrington here to talk with me about Mr. Daniel Adams 
and his wife's indecent living apart: and what method must 
be taken with them : But most probably their design was 
(and Mr. Gale came in to join them) to find fault with y" 



1 Mr. Samuel Forbush's barn still stands facing Lyman Street. 
In 1812, the soldiers enlisted for the war, used it for their barracks. 



136 DIARY OF REV. EBEXEZER PARKMAN. 

Result of y'^ late Council at Bolton. And they request they 
may have it read to y'" again on the next Lecture Day. 

8. I rode to Mr. Nat. Whitney's in Grafton to talk with 
Hannah Whitney about her Humiliation and joining with 
y'^ Church. Then proceeded to Mr. Grosvenor's, but nei- 
ther he nor she was at home. I went into Mr. Joseph 
Brown's, with hope to see his Electrical Machine, but he 
was again gone to Providence. His lady was generous in 
entertaining me. I dind there and she sent her son Oba- 
diah to call Mr. Henstick, the baptist Minister, to show me 
y*^ said Machine. Mr. Grosvenor had by this time returned 
from Sutton, and came to me, and kindlj' assisted Mr. Hen- 
.stick in y^ Electrical Operations, which were wonderful. I 
was electrized a number of times, the rather as it was said to 
be a Remedy against y^ Cramp, which I am much subject to. 
The Experiments led me to utter, " how Manifold are thy 
Works, O Lord, in Wysdom hast thou Made y"^ all." In 
returning home, I came by Mr. I.saiah Fairbanks and Mr. 
Nurse's Miss Lydia and Miss Rebecca request a Fast may 
be kept at their House, and that Mr. Sumner and Mr. Fisk 
may be sought to perform on that occa.sion. The time, to 
be, God Willing, this day Fortnight. I came home safely 
through the Divine Goodness to me. 

9. vSophy with Mr. Brigham, in Mr. Newton's Chai.se, 
goes to Marlboro. Mr. Goodall here and shows me \ "^ Cer- 
tificate of his Ordination at large, or as a Missionary, to go 
to the State of \'ermont. Mr. Elijah Hardy's wife makes 
us a visit. 

10. Si.ster Champney is putting up her things in order 
to leave us. Mr. Mellen and his wife call and drink Coffee. 



DIARY OF RKV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 37 

A Training Day with y'= South Company. Much imprudent 
Firing. Read Roman's Annals of y^ Netherlands, Vol. I. 

II. Sister Champney left us to go to Mr. Jonas Bond's 
in Sutton. My son Breck went with her in Mr. Barn. New- 
ton's Chaise, & left her at Mr Bond's. We have bad news 
of a Fleet .supposed to be British, on our Coast, and some 
other Evil Tidings. 

12. 

13. Delivered another exercise on Zech. IV. viz. from 
V. II to y'^ End. 

The widow of y'^ late Capt. Benj. Fay dined with us. 

p. M. Considering y' this is y^ Time when Invasions and 
a new campaign are feared, I delivered again a sermon on 
Isa. 1. 19 to y'^ beginning of page 7. with divers alterations 
and additions. 

14. Send by Dr. Hawes, a Letter to Mr. Moore, also to 
Mr. Thos. Adams. 

15. Rain y" Forenoon. I could not go to Northboro' 
As.sociation, dined at home, but p. m. I went to Mr. Whit- 
neys. Mr. Stone, Smith and Goss there. I returned at 
Eve. Breck and his Wife & Dauter, Mr. Brigham & Sophy 
are gone, in two Chaises, to Boston. Mr. Forbes and Miss 
Charlotte Saunders came at eve, & lodged here Capt. 
Maynard's work men are moving y*^ Walls. 

16. Mr. Forbes and his Dauter left us to go to Brook- 
field. N. B Before he went, his cousin Elisha came, and 
they agree about ye nine Sheep of Mr. F. which I have here- 
tofore kept. Mr. Aaron Smith came — dind with us — Lt. 
Bond, and with him a yoke of Oxen and Horse — my Eph. 



138 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZIiR PARKMAN. 

Parker with my oxen and Breck's mare go on in plowing 
fallow ground at y*^ Island. 

17. I looked for Mr. Whitney to preach my Lecture, 
but he did not come. I preached myself on Ps. 139. 23. to 
y'' latter part of page 6 & concluded with a few warm Ex- 
positions extemp. 

Mr. Daniel Forbes, Mr. Gale & Mr. Joseph Harrington 
tother Day requested y*^ Church might be stopped and y'^ 
late Result at Bolton might be read again to y"\ I there- 
fore gratified them, but it was at y*" sad Cost of our Peace : 
for there were presently bitter Exceptions against y'' Result 
and against y^ Council y* formed it. I endeavored to open 
and to explain every Difficulty, and ease every Complaint 
— but it was in vain. They were not quiet when we parted. 
I desire to be humble before God on acct. of this sorrowful 
Token of his holy Displeasure, and pray for Divine Pity. 

At my House were Messrs. John" P'ay and Eli Brigham, 
who also eat with me : and we were chearful notwithstand- 
ing what I had met with. 

N. B. One Mr. Haden of Grafton tells me that they are 
in great Confusion, having had a meeting there to see 
whether they should build a new Meeting House : or whether 
they should repair y*^ old one : and whether they would grant 
Mr. Grosvenor some Relief; but they contended and would 
do neither. For which I am sorely grieved. 

18. I am in some Fear y' the disquieted Brethren will 
desire to have the Communion deferred, but none came 
to me. 

19. We are in anxiety about Mr. Forbes and Dauter, 



DIARY OK REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 139 

which should have come last night, Commencement at Cam- 
bridge. 

20. Administered y'^ Lord's Supper— preached a. m on 
Ps. 139. 24. (having read the Ps. publicly) p. m. on Ps. 
36. 1-7. Squire Whipple and his wife and Mrs. Maynard 
dind here. 

N. B. Congress's Address to y^ States about y-' Currency, 
tho long, it was read partly by me and partly by Deacon 
Bond and Mr. Elijah Brigham, in y'^ Congregation. Mr. 
Daniel Nurse tells me that the designed Fast at his Sister's, 
is put off till after y*^ busy Season. 

21. Mr. Forbes and Dauter Charlotte came from Spen- 
cer, he having preached there yesterday : and sent Mr. Mac- 
carty to Concord, they lodge here. Town Meeting and 
Training to raise nine men forthwith ; but they do not suc- 
ceed. 

22. Mr. Forbes and dauter leave us to go to Concord, 
Camb. and Boston. Wrote to Elias by him. 

p. M. came Mr. Joh." Hobby from Concord, and brot Mrs. 
Minot to see us. They lodge here. 

23. Eph". Parker begins to Mowe. 

Mr. Hobby, Mrs. Minot and Sophy walk up to Squire 
Baker's, but return to dine with us. p. m. our Company 
leave us to go to Northboro, and Mr. Brigham and Sophy 
accompany y"\ Mr. Fitch visits, to tell me he is engaged 
to Change with Mr. Sanford next Sabbath, but will change 
y*^ II of July. Mr. Cushing and Mr. W" May came and 
lodged here. 

24. I was a while at y" Hay. Mr. Cushing after Dinner 



I40 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

goes to lyancaster, and carrys his son John with him, to go 
home. 

25. Mr. Henry Quincy ^ came to Break fast with Breck 
— refreshed himself with me at 10. By him I wrote to his 
Father now at Newtown and to Mr. Thos. Adams of Med- 
field, who I hear is much out of Health. 

26. Received from Mr. Moore two Letters dated 

He informs me that his Negro Man, Cato, is taken by y'= 
british force, and y' he has lost 1500 wt. of Rice. I hear of 
Rejoicings lately at Boston and Cambridge, on account of 
Gen'l Lincoln's \^ictory over y*^" English Army in South 
Carolina. 

For several days I have drooped, and have but low Appe- 
tite, especially at dining. I am become thinner, but Ps. 
73. 26. 

27. Was but faint and my Exercises too long. 

Read Zech. V. from i to 4 v was ye Exercise A. M. On 
Isa. I. 19. to page 11 p. M. Admitted Hannah Whitney to 

^ Mr. Heur}' CJuiticy, called " the handsomest man in Boston," 
the 2d son of Mr. Parknian's dear friend. Judge Edmund Ouinc\-, 
b. Jan'y 26, 1726-27. He was twice married and had a family of 
twelve children. Soon after his death in Cambridge, in 1780 (see 
Journal June 5, 1780), his family moved to Boston, with Judge 
Quiucy, and were obliged to take boarders. Among these was the 
young French Consul to the United States, Mons. Joseph Dupas de 
Valnais, his secretary and friends. In 1781, he married the daugh- 
ter, Eunice Quincy, and two years afterwards she went to Paris, 
where she died about a dozen years later. Her husband and daugh- 
ter returned later to this country, in 1816, where they were wel- 
comed by the Ouincy family. 




-MA HAM irA.NNAH I'ARKMAX. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. I43 

Charity, and into Church Fellowship, and baptized a Child 
of Mr, Benj. Warrin's. 

28. Read Bell's Travels — thro' Siberia and Tartary to 
Pekin. I was somewhat lively, yet not as heretofore. I 
thank God for my Preservation and earnestly wish for 
Grace to improve my Time and Talents. 

29. I opened and spread Hay a while A. M. Mrs. P. 
has rid unto y*^ South of y'^ Town to procure Worsted 
Combings. She went to y*^ Outermost House and returned 
in Safety, p. m. the News Papers which contain Gen'l 
Lincoln's Victory over the british Forces in South Carolina. 
To God be glory! I wTote to Mr. Jonas Bond of y'^ North 
of vSutton concerning Sister Champney. 

30. Some part of y"^ Day I was feeble and faint, heart- 
less and do but little — "Cur mundus, militat sub vana 
Gloria " &c. &c. 

Afterwards I had somewhat more of Vivacity D. G. The 
Lord is Long-Suffering to astoni.shment! 

July 1779 

Read part of Dr. Cotton Mather's Agathangelus & Celes- 
tinus. Thus far it appears to be a very useful quicken- 
ing Book. I have reason to bless God and would heartily 
do .so, for the eminent Writings of that pious and learned 
man. 

Dr. Hawes, who has returned from Court, was here and 
communicated to me some of the Transactions of y^ As- 
sembly, and what y'= Town of Boston have, by their Com- 
mittee of Correspondence, sent to y*^ Committee of Westboro' 
relative to some fresh Efforts for y'-" Appreciation of y^ 



144 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

public Currency. N. B. Thomas's Spy^ comes again to 
the Shop for a Numbers of y*^ Neighbors. 

2. 

3- 

4. Preached A. M. on Zech. 3. 4 p, m. went on with 
Repetition of Sermon on Isa. i. v. 19-20 to p. 15. 

5. Visited Mr. Belknap- and dind there. He has a 
Widow Sister that lives there. Her name is P'lagg. I 
called at Mrs. Seth Wood's, & obtained of her to weave 
for us. I also made a Business of visiting and prayed with 
old Mrs. Chamberlain. She was very ill and under hysteric 
Affections. I called at Mr. W"\ Johnson's. Young Mrs. 
Belknap went with me to her Father's, Ensign Snowy's, 



^The Massachusetts Spy was established in Boston, nine years 
before this time. In 1775, for greater safety, it was removed to 
Worcester, where it has since been published, and is now the old- 
est newspaper in Massachusetts, and in the United States. It was 
printed by Isaiah Thomas, until 1802, a modest little sheet of four 
small pages. 

-The Belknap farm was Mr. Parkman's farthest point this day, 
being near Rocklawn. John Belknap had come, a young man, to 
Wesborough soon after the incorporation of the town, and built a 
log hut on his farm, where he was besieged by wolves and Indians, 
but escaped from both, and lived to a good old age. At the age of 
eighty, he married the widow of the 2d Jonathan P'orbes, Joanna 
Tainter. He was now eighty-two. 

On the way home, Mr. Parkman would go by the Chamberlain 
houses, Mr. Beeman's, and probably that of Mr. Thomas Andrews, 
who may have lived at this time with Thomas Forbush, his father-in- 
law, in the house he afterwards owned. In this century the house 
has always been known as the Andrews house. The Andrews fam- 
ilv came from Salem. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 145 

who put a Cheese into my Saddle Baggs. I called at Mr. 
Beeman's and at Mr. Thos. Andrew's. On my way home 
I went into y^ Workhouse ^ to see a Stranger who was taken 
sick on y'^ Road from Fishkill and going to his Family at 
Casco Bay. 

6. I went to y'^ Private Meeting at Mr. Joseph Grout's 
I preached on Lam. i. 9 from page S to 13. I was hand- 
somely entertained, but principally request y'' divine 
Blessing. 

7. Read Smalley's discourse on Joh. 6. 44. Visit y'= 
poor Sick Stranger at y'^ Workhouse,— and prayed with 
him. His name is James Webber of Purpoodock and has 
a Wife and two Children : he is ill of bilious Fever and 
Camp-Distemper. 

8. I sent my Watch by Mr. Moses Nurse to Mr. Simon 
Willard'-^ of Grafton : the chain being loose, unhooked. 

iThis was a house built according to a vote passed in the March 
meeting of 1767— "To see if the Town will agree to build a work- 
house and where to set it." They decided "it should be set and 
stand on a corner of Mr. Timothy Warrin's land." Mr. Timothy 
Warren lived on the road to Southboro', on the Warren farm just 
beyond where the turnpike crosses. 

-Mr. Simon Willard, a famous clock-maker of Grafton and Bos- 
ton. He was a great-grandson of Capt. Benj. Willard, the 15th 
child of Major Simon Willard. Capt. Benjamin was one of the first 
settlers of Grafton. Simon's father, also a Benj. Willard, had 
twelve children, nine of whom were sons, and the second son, Ben- 
jamin, was probably the first clock-maker in New England. He 
advertises his clocks as made by his workmen in Grafton as well as 
in Roxbury. Aaron and Simon were his brothers, and both were 
distinguished as clock-makers; Simon, especially, who lived until 



146 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

N. B. Mr. Nurse ha.s brought from Mrs. Lydia Garfield 
31 & }'2 yds of tow cloth which she has wove, and for 
which I paid 2t Dollars and 5 Shillings. 

9. I was in .some perplexity about my Haying, because 
nothing is done about it all this Week (except One Load on 
Monday) and yet Parker is going to work at Harrington's. 

10. I prepare for Hopkinton and p. m. I rode there. I 
called to see old Mr. Jonas Warrin. I carry ed to Mr. Barrett 
his first Volume of Henry's Exposition. I lodged at Mr. 
Fitch's. Mr. Fitch to Westboro. 

11. I preached at Hopkinton on Joel 3. 13 a. & p. m. 
It rained at eve. It was so wet and uncomfortable that I 
tarried there : but yet Mr. Fitch himself got home. 

12. Went to Mr. Barretts, where I was very affection- 
ately received. He lent me the third volume of Mr. Henry, 
viz. on Job, P.salms &c : he lent me also the third volume 
of the History of England in Folio and Howel's Familiar 
Letters. 4 vols bound in one Oct. Book, but in his Gener- 
osity he gave me the Folio which contains Dr. Stillingfleet's 
Sermons, twelve, and his Discourse on the True Reason of 
the Sufferings of Jesus Christ. This Cargo of Books I brot 
Home. 

Having understood that Mr. James Webber was still sick 

1848, and died then in Roxbury at the age of 96 — leaving a son of 
the same name. 

At this time, when Mr. Parkman entrusted his watch to him, he 
was twenty-seven years old. 

The houses of the Willards were in the " Farms Deestrict," near 
Wild Cat Swam]). Only a cellar hole shows where Simon's once 
stood, but Benjamin's still defies the winds and storms of our New 
luigland winters. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 47 

at y^ Work house, I went there p. m. to see him and prayed 
with him. Mr. Thomas Adams of Medfield came at Even- 
ing with a number of Books and lodged here. 

We have a Sad Report y' New Haven is taken by y^ Enemy. 

13. Mr. Adams has brought home to me at length Sir 
W" Temple. He has led me also into an Exchange of a 
number of Books viz. For Voetius 3 vols. I have Dr. Stan- 
hope's Thomas a Kempis Dr. Calamy, of Vows: Hor- 
neck's crucified Jesus, & Dr Goodman's Old Religion. For 
Mons^ Boileau's 2^' vol and Mat Prior's Works 2 vols. I 
have Dr. Hammond's Annotations in large Folio. For the 
Lay Monastery, I have Herman Prudence, & Three Select 
Pieces of Mr. Thos. Shepherd. For Comin's Real Christian, 
unbound, I gave him at his proposal a Pound of Sugar. He 
presented me a Pamphlet, Dr. Gibson on y*^ Sinfulness of 
Neglecting and profaning the Lord's Day. N. B. I returned 
him his Drexilius on Eternity. He showed me a Manu- 
script of his Dauter's forming in 4'" Alphabetical, and con- 
tains an account of all manner of Errors, Sects, &c in every 
age of Chty. He sold Breck a number of unbound Books, 
Firmin, Shaw, Shepherd, Doelittle &c. After dinner he left 
us to go to Sherburn. 

14. Mr. Joh" Hall of Hopkinton here. I visited and 
prayed with y« sick Stranger, Mr. James Webber. He is 
grown worse. May God prepare him and us for His Sov- 
ereign Will ! 

Mr. John Pigeon of Brookfield here and dind with us. 

15. Am variously employed among the Books which I 
lately had from Mr. Adams and Mr. Barrett, p. m. attended 
Mr. Webber's Funeral, & prayed. We have y^ Sad News 



148 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

of y^' British Forces invading New Haven, Fairfield, Strat- 
ford &c. 

16. The news from New Haven is confirmed. Suse not 
well. 

17. Isaac Balchvin came up from Cambridge where he 
has been examined and approved, tho not admitted into 
College, lodges here. A Letter by Baldwin from Mr. I. 
Quincy. Eph'" on Breck's Horse, at y'^ Close of y'' Day, to 
Shrewsbury. 

18. Read Ps. 103 and preached on v. 14. Sam. Brigham 
dines, p. m. on Isa. i . 20, & finish that Di.scourse. At eve 
I read in Stanhope's a Kempis on Death. May God grant 
His almighty Blessing to accompany my Weak Efforts ! 

19. Parker returned from Shrew.sbury to his Work. 
Mr. Eleazar Fairbank of North Shrewsbury, trades with 
Break, and visits, dines, and spends good part of y'^ p. m. 
with me. 

20. Read preface to Shaw's Immanuel. Newspaper from 
Boston, but am chiefly impressed and taken up with y*^ 
weighty, important Things, which relate to my Dissolution 
and an eternal World. It is wonderful that I am no more 
affected with them. 

21. Breck goes to Boston. Mr. Elisha Forbes with his 
Team goes down to load up for him. Miss Polly Howard 
here making Lace for my Dauter Cushing. Mr. John 
Pidgeon came in his way to Brookfield, and lodges here. 
He brings fresh news of our Success against y*^ Enemy in 
recovering y'^ Fort on Hudson's River, which they had 
lately taken from y^' vStates, &: fortified more Strongly, 
which is called vStoney Point, near King's Ferry : May 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 149 

God grant to His people a suitable Frame of Mind upon 
Such Occasions ! 

Elias came from Cambridge. 

22. Sr. Fisk (as now I suppose he is honored) made us 
a Vi.sit and dind here. Mrs. Lam.son ill, her aunt Knowl- 
ton, who tends on her, lodges here. 

23. Mr. Eben,'' Allen, a Stranger, born at y*" Vineyard, 
his parents live at Rochester, himself a Preacher, came here 
to see me, stayed and dind, is going to Needham to preach 
there. 

Breck returns from Boston, tells me Salley is very com- 
fortable. 

24. I have very much left my Husbandry Business with 
Parker. , and betake myself to my Studys. 

25. Preached a. m. on Zech. v. 3.4. Mrs. Maynard dind 
here. P. :m. for y*" sake of some Disconsolate persons, and a 
View to y^ Communion next Sabbath, I repeated with some 
Additions sermon on Ps. 69.32, which may God graciou.sly 
succeed ! At eve read a Kempis Book IV. Chap. i. the Com- 
munion being appointed. 

26. Applyed myself to Studys and began my Prepara- 
tions. Mr. Waters from Newtown, where he has been 
preaching calls here. The Rain upon our Hay. it much per- 
plexes and disappoints in various Respects. 

27. Mrs. P. is with my N^ Harrington's wife in her 
Travail. 

28. They have a Dauter born. I read Bell's Travels to 
Pekin, & went to see Mrs. Harrington. Mrs. Dolly Rice 
here. 

29. Mrs. Lanison being still in a very unfit Situation to 



150 DIARY OF RE\'. EBEXEZER PARKAIAN. 

be alone, has Mrs. Drury, Danter of her aunt Knowlton 
with her from Day to Day, but she lodges here — ever since 
last vSaturday night. 

30. Drury Fairbank, who sometime ago was Sick and 
languishing, under a dangerous consumptive Cough, is 
strangely' raised to Health, and is going into y'= Service, p. 
M. came from Worcester, my Dauter Baldwin, with her son 
Isaac waiting upon her. vShe has been of late much borne 
down with her Disorders, but is (just now) somewhat 
brighter. They lodge here, as does Mrs. Ell well, who in 
coming to help Mrs. Lamson, had a Fall from her Hor.se, 
and is rendered incapable to help her, 

31. Lsaac Baldwin returns to Brookfield, but leaves his 
Mother and her Chaise here. Mr. Waters returning to 
Newtown. How swiftly this month has fled ! So teach us 
to number our Days that we may apph^ our Hearts to Wis- 
dom ! 

August 1779. 

A. M. on Ps: 36. 7. Administered the Lord's Supper, 
which may God graciously accept. Mrs. IVIaynard dind 
here. 

p. M. preached on Ps : 4. 7. to p. 9. O y' this might be 
y" Frame of my own vSoul ! N. B. Did not read publickly. 

At eve, read Mr. Dolittle's XHI Chapter on duty after 
receiving y"^ vSacrament. 

2. Breck has found sundry books for me, viz : Dr. Scott's 
vSerm. Vol. II. Which is on y Love of God : Firmin's 
Real Christian and Shepherd's Three Select Pieces, and 
mended several others. Mr. Jo.seph Harrington has brot a 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 151 

L,oiii of Veal, which I would take a grateful notice of. — Ru- 
mours of a British Fleet. 

The Town meet on a number of important Articles rela- 
tive to the affairs of y^^ State ; particularly to choose several 
Delegates for y'= Conventions. We are to meet for Prepar- 
ing a plan of Government in this State, and another respect- 
ing the Depreciation of money, &c. Mr. Nathan Maynard 
jun"" goes to Boston for Breck and carries in his Team Mr. 
Eli Forbes' Trunk. — old Mr. David Maynard here and 
carrys to Mr. Peter Whitney's, Henry on Psalms &c. 

3. I preach at y*^ private Meeting at Dea. Bond's on 
L,am. I. 9. & finished y^ Subject. Mr. P. Whitney commu- 
nicates some Letters. Elias went to Mr. Simon Willard of 
Grafton, and brot from him my Watch mended and cleaned, 
and Transactions of Mr. Goss and y<= Brethren of y^ South 
Church in Bolton. He has lately preached at y"^ Dedication 
of y'^ new Meeting House there, on that Text 2 Chron : 
6. 41. 

4. Moses Warren of Upton came from Mr. Fitch's of 
Hopkinton, and bought a Greek Grammar of my son Elias. 

I read the Art of Speaking, y' is y*^ first part which is the 
Essay on Rules &c. At eve, Mr. Isaac Parker, who is 
very friendly and generous. 

5. Elias goes to Worcester for Mr. Isaac Parker to bring 
ye Newspapers. Capt. Fisher here. He listens to Geo- 
graphical Description. Read y'^ admirable Character of Dr. 
Sol. Way by Mr. Cogswell. Mrs. Eliz Pratt of Worcester 
came in to see me. 

Elias returning home, brings me word from Mrs. Parker 



152 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

of Shrewsbun' (where he dind), y' my Sister Gushing' is 
sick. 

6. I left my Study to visit Sister Gushing. Mr. Mo.ses 
Nur.se has bought my son Breck's fine mare .so y' (tho' it 
was more tedious to me) I rode his grey Hor.se. to Shrews- 
bury, dined at Mr. Sumner's. A'isit old Madam Gushing, 
who is sick of a Fever, &c, but is somewhat better today. 
At her Request, I prayed with her. I rode to Mr. Amos 
Parker's. In returning I stopt at Mr. Isaac Davis about 
soal leather. 

7. By reason of Various Hindrances & Interruptions, 
I made but a little Preparation for y'= Sabbath It is a more 

than ordinary rainy Season. Mrs. P n's lameness is 

much increased and fills her with Smart. 

8. It is .still wet Weather. I preached A. & p. m. y" 
rest of y'^ Discour.se on Ps : 4. 7. which may we all be duely 
effected with ! 

Mr. Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton and his Wife came over 
to our Meeting (Mr. Fitch and his lady being gone to Gon- 
necticut ) dined &c. here. At eve, I read in y^ Family some 
Chap, of Thomas a Kempis. N. B. The Widow Sarah Smith 
is in Glooms again. 

9. I vi.sit old Mrs. Smith, but .she is exceedingly changed : 
and is not willing to talk with me. Mr. Child also is very 
much exercised with Pains I prayed with y'" and greatl}' 
pityed y'". Went to Mr. Daniel Nurse's and his Sister.s — 

1 His sister Cu.shi.ng was the mother of his sou-in-law, the wife 
of the Rev. Job Gushing. She lived uearly twenty years after this, 
and died at the age of ninety. 



DIARY OF REV. KBEXEZHR PARKMAN. 1 53 

to Mr. Thos. Whitney's' and dind there. He tells me he 
will have another talk with Mr. Benj. Fay in order to 

1 Thomas Whitney lived in that part of Shrewsbury called "the 
Shoe," in the house on the North Grafton road, next easterly to 
that of Dea. Nourse. 




THOS. WHITNEY HOUSE. 



He and his wife both lived to a green old age, and their grave- 
stones still stand in the Memorial Cemetery. 

In 1762, when most of the farms in the Shoe were annexed to 
Westborough, he was left behind in Shrewsbury entirely sur- 
rounded by Westborough. "We do not know," sa3'S the West- 
borough Historian, "whether he loved Shrewsbury more or West- 
borough less; but the General Court, with more regards for indi- 
vidual wishes than in town divisions of the present day, allowed 
his farm to remain a part of vShrewsbury." In 1793 this farm was 



154 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 



make up their Difference — was informed by him also y' Mr. 
Samuel Fay would have me go to his House. I went in to 
Timothy Whitney's, visited at Mr. Joseph Hardy's, went to 
see Mr. Eli Whitney and his new Wife — called at Mr. Phin. 
Hardy's — went to Mr. Elisha Forbes, Mr. Tainter and his 

annexed to Westborough, in response to a petition of Elijah Whit- 
ney, his son. Eli Whitney was of another family, and was the 
father of Eli Whitney, the inventor of the cotton-gin. He lived on 
the well-known farm on Eli Whitney Street, in the house whose pic- 
ture has been preserved for us by Barbour's Historical Collections. 
The son Eli, at this time, was a boy of fourteen. The large monu- 
ment in the Memorial Cemetery, near the Whitney house, marks 
the spot where Eli Whitney and his first wife, Elizabeth Fay, who 
died in 1777, were buried. No mention appears on the stone of the 
"new wife," Judith Hazelton, whom he had married a month or 
two before this time. 




ELI WHITNKV HOUSK. 



DIARY OK REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 155 

son Benj's Family. I made a Business of Seeing and dis- 
coursing^ with y^ Stranger Polly Brown — drank Tea at 
Forbes' s. 

10. The Season for getting Hay has been singularly dif- 
ficult, by reason of so much foul Weather. Yestei'day indeed 
was fair, but today arose a Thunder Storm and poured 
down heavy Showers. At eve I wrote to Mr. Quincy. 

1 1 . Sent my Letter to Mr. Q — by Breck, who hurried me 
so y' I was obliged to send him a mere Fragment, without 
accomplishing my Plan. The Hay Business is attended with 
great Difficulty, by reason of much Wet Weather. Divers 
People have many Loads under Water. 

12. Still Cloudy and rainy — broken Time for Workmen. 
Sunshine p. m. They go to y*^ Hay at y'^ Swamp between 4 
& 5. N. B. Mr. Nathan Kenney's little Lucy ( about 4 years 
old) was scalded by squatting into a Tray of Hot Water. Dr. 
Hall of Sutton calls here in Return from Boston. Major 
Peter Harwood of Brookfield came to see my Dauter Bald- 
win. He leaves us to go to his Grandfather's, Capt. Hub- 
bard of Worcester y^ Eve. 

13. Parker went to my little Flock in vSquire Baker's 
pasture, got a Lamb, killed it — did not weigh it — it was 
very small. Breck returned from Boston : but was much 
overcome by y^ Rain and Fatiegue of his Journey — young 
Henry Pigeon here and dind with us. p. m. Rev. Fitch, 
his wife and sucking son Elijah — they dind here. Lent 
Mr. Fitch, Stillingfleet's Origines Sacrae. Mrs. Hawes 
and her Cousin, Miss Jerusha King, at Tea here. 

14. Elias to Northboro, and carrys to Mr. Whitney, 
Mr. Charles Stearns' Book of y"^ Art of Speaking. 



156 DIARV OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

15. Read Levit. 19 to v. 18, and took v. 12 for my Text 
to introduce my Exercise on Zech: v. 4 from page 70 to 74. 
p. M. repeat Sermon on II Peter i. 10 to y'^ end of page 8, 
with omissions of what related to y" Lord's Supper. At 
evening repeated principal parts of it. 

16. Elias shews me his Quarter Bills which are not paid, 
viz. : 

to Feb. 26. i77q which is — / i7- 3- 4 

The 4th Quarter Bill from Feb. 26 to May 2S. 1779 is /.'^S. 5. o 

which 

deduct. 64. S. 4 buttery 
Besides these Mr. Philips Paylons Buttery bill added 

Sizing from Nov. 27. 1778 to July 14. 1779 /'3S. is. o not paid. is ./."lo;,. 6. 4 

N. B. This gave me some Difficulty that these several 
Bills were unpaid, seeing I gave Elias an Hundred Dollars 
on March 17, and with a View to his discharging that Bill 
which was due on Feb. 26 last. Besides which he had 
more of me at different Times in y'^ Spring particularly on 
May 31, 14 Dollars, delivered by Breck ; more by Breck 
again about y^ same time ^22. 4. o. (that is 74 Dollars, 
which with tlie 14 Dollars on May 31, as aforesaid, made 
88 Dollars. ) 

N. B. The Town met p. m. to .see whether they would 
concur with what the Convention of Worcester have re- 
solved upon as to y'' Prices of Things, Lab"". Goods &c, and 
consented thereto. Chose also a Committee of three to Set 
a Price on Ics.ser Articles, which y" Convention omitted. 
They were Dr. Hawes, Mr. Jo.seph Harrington and Capt. 
Fisher. X. B. Drury Fairbanks desires to be marryed, tho 
he has not been 14 days on y*= Town Clerk's Book. Mr. 
Weare &: Isaac Forbush came willi him, but I refused. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PAKKMAN. 1 57 

17. I had an Horse of Deacon Wood to go to Minister's 
Meeting at East Sudbury. Breck being gone to Ashburn- 
ham. I delivered to Elias 100 Dollars for y'^ Steward &c. 
In riding y" Journey I overtook Mr. Stone, and we remarked 
y^ great Loss of Hay on Sudbury Meadows, by y'^ late Rains. 
At Mr. Bridge's were Messrs. Stone, Goss, Whitney, New- 
ell — but Mr. Smith was gone a Journey and was not re- 
turned. The same as at last Meeting, was Moderator. Mr. 
Bridge prayed. After dinner our Subjects were, Mr. Goss' 
grievances, and y'' Dissensions at Marlborough mentioned 
by Mr. Whitney. I would fain have recommended to have 
a Concio, or Collections, or some Questions answered y' we 
may redeem our Time, and render our associating y'^ more 
profitable. When we broke up., I rode to my Son Wil- 
liam's and lodged there. 

18. Rode from my Son's to Coll. Week's, where my 
Horse as well as myself was refreshed. The Colonel re- 
quested I would visit old Mr. Sam'l Wit, who was very old 
and weak : and he would go with me. We went — found 
him in a good Frame. He spoke to the following purpose 
in a raised. Strong and Solemn Manner. "I had rather 
have the Glorious God for my Portion, and an interest in y'' 
Merits of Jesus Christ, than to be Lord of y-^ Whole World." 
At his Desire I prayed with him. At taking leave, he ex- 
pressed himself as much obliged to me, glad I would visit 
him & asked my Prayers still for him. I called a little at 
Mr. Simon How's, who lent me Mr. Hubbard of Ipswich's 
Narrative of y'= Indian Wars. Isaac Baldwin came from 
Brookfield to his Mother's great Comfort. Mr. Jacob Fos- 
ter, late minister of Berwick, came and lodged. 



158 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

19. My Dauter Baldwin left us, waited on by her son 
Isaac. Mr. Foster went on his Journe}' to Canterbury. 
20. 

21. Winslow Brigham having led an Horse to Ashburn- 
ham, for Pamela Coolidge to live with us : but returns with- 
out her, to Mrs. Parkman's great disappointment. 

22. On Zech: v. 4. to page 73, but used for my Text 
again Levit. 19. 12. p. m. delivered 3"^ re.st of Di.scourse 
on II Peter i. 10. with some additions. At eve read a part 
of Mr. Culverwells on that Text : entitled The White Stone, 
which may God bless ! 

23. Read part of Clark's Lives. Isaac Baldwin and 
Neddy Parkman came from Brookfield and lodged here. 

24. Elias ( to whom I delivered 30 Dollars more — see on 
y'^ 17th) left us to return to Cambridge and with him Isaac 
Baldwin. Neddy goes with y'" to bring back y*^ Horses. 
Breck has Carpenters at work to raise y*" Back Roof of his 
Store. Mrs. P. is carried to Squire Baker's. At eve she 
returns with a present of vSalt Beef and Six neets Tongues 
from y^ old Gentlewoman. 

25. Mr. Hez."' Maynard of Marlboro" here on account of 
a Draught of a Covenant to be used in their Assembl)^ pre- 
vious to Baptism : he having brot one that was deficient. I 
altered and copyed it. Neddy Parkman returned from 
Cambridge — he brot my Virgil and TuUy and some other 
Books from Elias. Neddy lodges here. The sad news from 
Penobscot is confirmed. 

26. An exceeding rainy time. Neddy cant return to 
Brookfield. Stephen Maynard here and has brot a Relation. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 59 

I read Mr. Fish's reply to Foster of Leicester on Infant 
Baptism. 

27. Neddy goes on his Journey to Brookfield. 

My son Wilham came with his Chaise for his Mother to 
go with him, to Concord (his Wife drawing near y*^ Time of 
Travail). He, Capt. Goddard of Sutton, Dr. Stinson now 
of Marlboro' and Mr. Caleb Harrington dind with us. p. 
M. Mrs. P. to Concord. 

The notorious Thomas Cook^ came in (he says) on pur- 

1 Tom Cook is one of the picturesque characters of the day, aud 
we wonder, as we hear of his exploits, how he escaped the sad fate 
of Hugh Henderson and Johnson Green, the latter captured in 
Westborough and hanged as late as 1786 for breaking into three 
houses in Shrewsbury one night aud stealing, according to his own 
confession : " From Mr. Baldwin i pair of Shoes i pair of Silver 
Buckles I furstan jaccot two all woll Do one Shirt cotton and linnen 
one bottle of New England Rum, two Cakes of Gingerbread 21 
coat and jaccot Buttons and four or five shillings in cash — from Mr. 
Farrar one pair of Shoes, i pair of Shoe Buckles silver one Pair 
of Sizars 20 or 30 Coppers a remnant of black Sattin lasting one 
linnen pocket handkerchief — from Mr Wyman about fifteen or six- 
teen shillings in Cash part Silver and part Copper." 

Tom Cook, notorious even in Mr. Parkman's day, was supposed 
by the good people of the town to have been pledged by his mother 
— the Eunice Forbush who married Cornelius Cook and lived in 
the old house on the corner of East Main and Lyman streets — to 
serve the devil, an obligation which he willingly assumed as he 
grew up, and which he found of great assistance to him in the 
pursuit of his profession. 

He was known as the " honest thief " — although he preferred to 
be called the " leveller." He figures in many a tale of theft and 
highway robbery, but he rarely used his ill-gotten gains for him- 
self, but usually bestowed them on some one lacking in this world's 



l6o DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

pose to see me. I gave him what Admonition, Instruction 
and caution I could. I be.seech God to give it Force ! He 
leaves me with fair Words — thankful and promising. 

28. L,t. Townsend here to get a Dismission for himself 
and Wife. The Front Wall of y"^ East yard next y^ Road, 
built out to y*^ Fence that turns up to y'' House. A Barrel 
of Cyder made at Lieut. Jon. Grout's. 

29. I went on with y'^ Exercises upon Zech: v. 4, but y"^ 

goods, He selected his victims thoughtfully, choosing only those 
who could afford to help their needy neighbors and did not. 

He was arrested many times, and once was sentenced to be 
hanged, but as he informed the Judge, when he heard the awful 
words, " until you are dead- — dead — dead," he was not there " that 
day — da}' — day," and he lived to a good old age and is still remem- 
bered by a few in our midst. 

He is one of our legends now, and we write of him : 

" It was a superstitious age 

When he first saw the light, 
And boldly did his spirit guage 
Its narrow rule of right. 

" And because he would not travel 
In the regulation wax- 
He was thought a son of Belial, 
And beneath Satanic sway. 

■ He saw no more than we can see. 
Xor felt he more the fact 
That justice means equality, — 
He only dared to act." 

— Poem read by Dr. Corey on Parkman Day. 

He was l^orn in 1738, consequently at this time was forty-one 
years old. He lived to be nearly ninety, and died on a run-away 
trip from the home provided for him by the town. His final level- 
ling cost the town forty dollars. 

See note on Dana's Tavern, Oct. 4, 1737. 



DIARY OF KRV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. l6l 

Text was Lev. 19. 12. Read Ex. XX. a. m. Read p. m. 
Acts 17. took V. 30 for my Text. Delivered both y"^ Ser- 
mons (with some omissions and a few Additions) which I 
preached ahnost Ten years ago. Mr. Sumner being gone, 
sundry Shrewsbury people were at Meeting here. Elmer 
Gushing & Crosby dind here. 

30. Breck goes to Boston. I read y'= Life of eminently 
pious Mr. John Janewey, which may God be graciously 
pleased to bless to my Quickening and eternal Profit ! 

31. I took a Walk to Mr. Abr.'" Bonds' to visit him and 
his Wife., under their great Affliction by their son John's 
continued Lameness. I also went to see and talk with Mrs. 
Barns being under y'^ Guilt of Fornication. I solemnly called 
her to Repentance, and I spent some time with Francis' 
Wife. Then went to y^ Men who were out at plough. 
When returned Home, I found here Rev. Mr. David Ripley 
of Abington in Connetic. who dind with me and went on 
his Wa}'. 

September 1779. 

Breck returns from Boston, brings me a joyful Letter 
from W"' that his Wife was delivered last Saturday morning 
at 8 A. M. of a Son, baptized John. p. m. My Dauter-in-law 
Kezia of New Marlboro came from Framingham and lodged 
here. 

2. Kezia was going home to New Marlboro alone. The 
Difficulty in finding y*^ Road to Lancaster, engaged me to 
go with her so far. I went. We dind at Mrs. Wilder's in 
Lancaster. Thence I went with my Dauter to t'other Side 
y*^ Meeting House, and set her in y'^ Road to her Brother's 



1 62 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

in Fitchbourg — I turnd into Mr. Sheriff Greenleaf's thence 
to Mr. Harrington's, — he not at home, and sat out for home 
but in Northboro was compelled to go into Deacon Paul 
Newton's to raising Supper, & lodged there. 

3. Broke fast at Mr. Whitney's — borrowed Bp. Hall's 
Works, folio, and came home. Thanks to God. Col. Gush- 
ing and Major Brennan dind here. Four men to be raised 
from the Town to go to Providence, for two months. A 
Letter received from Sister Champney at Sutton. 

4. Breck to Sutton, but I knew it not in season to write 
an answer by him. A terrible Storm of Thunder and Light- 
ning, a very violent Crack suddenly and close by us. Afraid 
we shall hear of Sad effects. The Lord be prai.sed for our 
Preservation. O y*" Power and Goodness of God ! 

5. Preached A. M. on Zech : v. 5-8. p. m. on Prov. 15. 
16, which may God graciously please to bless ! Appointed 
y'^ Communion and Lecture, but put by y private Meeting 
which would otherwise have been at Mr. Tainter's. Mr. 
Dan'l Forbes has been with me and desires y'' next Meeting 
might be at his House (Tainter agreeing to it) by rea.son of 
old Mrs. vStone who lives there. 

6. I wrote early to Rev. Mr. Stone of Southboro' to 
preach my Lecture on y^ 8th and sent it by Mr. Adonijah 
Putnam of Sutton. I wrote to Sister Lydia Champney at 
Mr. Jonas Bond's in Sutton in reply to hers of Aug. 31. At 
eve came Nathan Flag from Grafton with a message from 
one Mrs. Mary Hasham, requesting me to attend y'' Funeral 
of her Husband tomorrow at 2 p. m. 

7. I rode to Grafton — dind at Mr. Grosvenor's (He was 
gone to Conway) I praj-ed at y"' Funeral of Mr. Hasham. — 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 63 

at Mr. Aaron Willard's, paid him eleven Dollars for mend- 
ing my Watch. Mr. Simon Willard went with me to Mr. 
Joseph Brown's and shewed me a Perambulator which he 
had made and fixed to Mr. Brown's Chaise. Alexander 
came and lodged here. 

8. I received a note from Mr. Stone y' he could not 
preach my Lecture. The Town of Southboro' meet today 
to consider his Salary. I preached my Self. The Text was 
Romans 15. 13. May God bless my Endeavors ! Alex- 
ander went to Marlboro' but returned and lodged here. 
Squire Whipple came in after Ivccture, gives but an indif- 
ferent Account of y*^ State of Things in New Braintrey. 
They go on under Mr. Foster, as if all was right. 

9. This morning our neighbor Eamson who has been a 
long time very miserable was delivered of a fine large Boy, 
to our great Rejoicing. Blessed be God, y"^ God of Salva- 
tion and may He perfect her Recovery ! Alexander and 
Breck go to Worcester and return. David Fay and Pa- 
tience Hovey (?) were married. My son Alexander is .still 
here, and lodges here. 

10. Alexander leaves us to go to Ashburnham and then 
home. I thought it my Duty to visit Mrs. Lam.son to rejoice 
with her and stir her up to y'' Duty of Dedicating her child 
to God. p. M. came Mr. Charles Stearns of Leominster & 
lodged here. N. B. He informs y' Mr. Whitney of Peters- 
ham dyed on Wednesday. 

At eve came Mr. John Belknap and Mr. Daniel Forbes — 
they want that Mr. Dan. Adams should be desired to for- 
bear coming to y^ Sacrament. I dont consent without they 
write and sign it, which they do. 



164 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

11. Mr. Stearns goes to Mr. vStone's. Mrs. P. came home 
from Concord with my son W"'. and his little Sophy is with 
her Father, and after Dinner, they return to Concord. A 
Letter from aged Mr. Eb' Hartshorn of Concord. I wrote 
and .sent a note to Mr. D. Adams, concerning his forbearing 
to come to y*" Communion tomorrow. 

12. I read Ps : 116. Preached on Ps. 36.7. Adminis- 
tered y'^ Lord's Supper. Mr. Knight of Boston was at y" 
Communion. Mrs. Maynard dind here p. :\i. delivered y'^ 
Latter Sermon on Roms. 15.13. At eve, Mr. Stone came 
here, having preached at Northboro'. He lodged here. 

13. I visited Katy Biglow, ill of a Fever and hysteric 
Disorders. At her Desire, I prayed there. Had some con- 
versation with Mr. Daniel Adams about his Wife living from 
him. He tells me he desires she would return and that he 
would do anything reasonable to obtain it p. m. he came 
here, .shewed me a Copy of a Letter which he had .sent to 
her some time ago, desiring her to let him know what are 
her Difficultys, and what she would have him do. To which 
letter .she returned him no Answer. 

N. B. Dr. Stimson and Miss Nancy Jones of Hopkinton 
here and dind. 

14. Had .some Debate with Dr. Hawes about Tim. Bry- 
ant's Work for him last year. X. B. Mr. John Thayer 
from New Haven Coll. came here in his wa\" to Boston, 
dind here. Received a Letter from Mr. Zebulon Rice of 
Brookfield concerning Rev. Mr. Buckminster's preparing to 
answer Mr. Isaac Foster's ordination Sermon, and consult- 
ing an Association at Sturbridge thereon. 

15. Sent I'vph'". Wheelock witli a load of Apples to 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 65 

Lieut. Grout'. s to be made into Cyder by him at hi.s Mill. 
Broke Fast at Capt. Wood's. Had conversation with Dea. 
Wood and with Mr. Tho. Twitchell about Mr. Adam s Af- 
fair with his Wife. Visit and prayed with Katy Biglow^ 

16 The Day was mainly spent in Retirement-See 
Natal.. ^ but just at eve came to my Sorrow, Mr. Adams and 

1 He writes uuder this date in the small blank book in which, 
during his long life, he recorded his birthday meditations :- 
"Sepr. 5. O. S. Westb. 

Natalitia, . , ,. 1 

This Day I separated myself from Worldly Delight, Care and 
Encumbrances, as my Circumstances xVd alio.-, and gave myself 
to relicnous exercises and Retrospections. 

P aitin.. and adoring ye most High, ye grt Almighty Author of 
mv Be ";, my merciful Preserver and bountiful Benefactor, who 
has gracfousl upheld me through the Revolutions and Try^a s o 
another Year and has vouchsafed me a wonderful measure of Hea th 
and Comfort in such advanced Age. I implore y^ "^/^'^"^ ^^^^^ 
and Pardoning Mercy under so much Guilt and Unworthiness, thro 
ye Blood and Merits of my dear Redeemer, and importune ye Gra- 
cious Almighty aids and ye sanctifying, comforting and estabhs^i- 
ing Communications of ye Holy Spirit of Grace. And renewed my 
Resolutions and Engagements to walk with God and to be faithful 

'%^gTnning another Year still thro ye Lords Long-suffering to- 
wards me, I ardently beg His all sufficient and powerful Grace to 
sustain me under my Decay !— ^ -, ^ -a ^f 

And O yt I might obtain clear and well-grounded Evidences of 
divine Faith and Love and a full Assurance of Hope to the End .- 

6 old stile Rev. Messrs. Reed and Turner of Middleboro in- 
form me of ve Death of two of my classmates viz :-Mr. Shepherd 
Fiske and Rev. Mr. Wm. Rand of Kingston. There being now 
only Four of us surviving. Dr. Chancy, Messrs. Bucknam and U ight 
— and I. — 



l66 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

with him Lieut. Levi Warrin, who ask (and with some Re- 
luctance) I gave a Copy of Messrs. Belknap and Forbes' Re- 
quest to me to send to Mr. A. to forbear coming to y'^ Com- 
munion last Lord's Day. 

Messrs. Reed of Middleboro' and Turner of same Town, 
going to y'' Ordination of Mr. Reed's son at Warwick, came 
& lodged here. Mr. Jacob Broaders " was married to young 
Katharine Fessenden. N. B. The above named ministers 
prayed before and after y"^ Covenant. 

17. The ministers go on their Journey. A School is 
kept at y*^ Grout vSchool-house by Mr. Hazzletine. 

18. A no of Theeves who have stole from Mr. Henry 
Prentice of Grafton, are taken and one of y'" whip'd at Dea- 
con Wood's — y^ Chief of y'^ Money is recovered. 

I earnestly beg of God, deeply thoroly, to imprest my Soul here- 
with that I may be always actually ready for my own Departure ! — 

-How old Jacob Broaders was at this time, the records say not, 
but Katharine Fessenden lacked four days of being sixteen. She 
was the oldest daughter of John Fessenden. A few years after this, 
he bought the house then vacated by Isaac Davis, and known since 
his day as the Broaders House. Katharine had three children, and 
was left a widow at the early age of twenty-three. She was allowed 
after her husband's death to take of his personal property, — 

" An old fine shirt 3/6. 

I pr. Silver Shoe Buckles 14/6. 

One pair Silver knee buckles 5/6. 

One pair Silver Sleeve Buttons is." 

His clothing was sold by the "Vendue Master," and show him 
to have been a well dressed and prosperous man of the day, for he 
had A great Coat, a velvet waistcoat, and two others besides, a blue 
coat and a red coat, and a pair of " Red breaches" which Amasa 
Maynard bought, and " Woolling Stockings." 

He was the grandfather of Hiram D. Broaders. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 167 

19. On consideration of my beginning a New Year I 
preached A. m. on Isaiah 46:3.4 and by reason of y*^ Death 
of my two classmates, Rev. Mr. William Rand and Mr. 
Shepherd Fisk, I made up a sermon on Isa: 57.1-2. with 
proper observations and additions, especially of y*^ character 
of Mr. Rand, whom I was much more acquainted with. 

I informed y^ Congregation of y^ Fast, to be God willing, 
on y^ next Thursday, at Mr. Dan' Nurse's, on account of 
his two Sisters. 

We had a Contribution for y'^ Relief of Mr. Artemas Bruce, 
of New Fane, who.se House was lately burnt. 

20. The Contribution yesterday was ^48.77/. and a Per- 
son who was not prepared at y^ Time desired 20/ be added 
for him, which he promised to repay, which was I suppose, 
done. Bruce was here. I gave him y^ Money : he gave me 
a Receipt and thanks to y*^ People and to me. 

Mrs. Lambson very ill. Visited and prayed with her. N. 
B. The Town met to see what they would do in Compas- 
sion to y'' Town of Boston, who are suffering by reason of 
Market people refraining to go in with y^ Necessarys of 
Life. 

21. Wrote to Cousin Briant. At eve call to see Mrs. 
Lambson. I rode to Mr. Joseph Grout's to see Mrs. Adams 
who lives there. I dind there, though Mr. Grout and his 
Wife were gone to Boston. Mrs. Adams seems to be utterly 
unwilling to go to live with her Husband again. 

22. N. B. This morn I sent my Letter to Cousen Bri- 
ant by Mr. Moses Potter, going to Ipswich : and with it a 
Bundle containing for Timothy, — Seven yards of White tow 
cloth &c &c See Memorandum Book. The Widow Fav 



l6S DIARY OF REV. EBKXEZKR PARKMAN. 

dind with us. — Spent y'' Afternoon with Mrs. P— and drank 
Tea. I read in Clark's Lives, Mr. Hugh Broughton's, and 
.several other Parts of that useful Book, was much moved 
and stimulated by their excellent Examples. N. B. I have 
received a letter from Mr. John Forbes of Otter Creek, with 
y'^ Constitution of y*" State of Vermont. 

23. Attended a Fast at Miss Lydia and Miss Rebecca 
Nurse's Mrs. P. with me. I began with Prayer. Mr. 
Sumner preached a seasonable Sermon, from 3'' Epistle of 
St. John V. 2 " Beloved I wish above all Things &c " p. 
M. Mr. Fairbank preached on Matt. VI. 10. latter part 
" Thy Will be done on Earth <S:c". I prayed after Ser- 
mon. May God be pleased to accept our Humiliation and 
Supplications, and give His Bles.sing to y'^ Word so fitly 
delivered ! N. B. The two Fays, Messrs. vSamuel and 
Jeduthun, Mr. Knight, Mr. Hazzletine ( .school-ma.ster ) 
Mr. Zebulon Rice &c were there. Mr. Z. Rice here in y*^ 
evening, with Mr. D. Forbes. 

24. more closely applied to my preparations. 

-5- 

,26. Read Ps. 44. Took y^' first verse for my Text, tho 
I go on with my subject on Fsa: 46. 3-4 — p. m. on Isa: 47 
1-2, had .some Regard to y^ Death of Rev. Mr. Whitney of 
Petersham, which may God Sanctifie to us ! After Exer- 
cises it rained plentifully, Cousen Saml. ( who has lately 
been graduated at Dartmouth Col. ) here at eve and lodges 
here. In y^' Evening Exercise of y^' Family, I read A 
Kempis. 

27. Brigham returned to his F. Maynards. I^reck goes 
to Cambridge & Boston. I am reading Mr. Cuthbert Sid- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 69 

enham on Hypocrisie. and wish it may be deeply impressed 
on my own Soul ! It is printed very incorrectly, and under 
much Disadvantage, but contains many useful Things. 

28. Catechized at y^ Meeting-House a. m. 32 Boys, p. 
M. 23 Girls. May a Blessing accompany my instructions 
and Warnings to them of each Sex ! 

At eve Mr. Brigham brot Master Hazzletine to see me. 
He borrows Mr. Edwards on Original Sin. Mr. Brigham 
has 2^ vol. of Montesquieu. 

29 Mr. Amos Parker and wife dind here. Capt. Ed- 
mund Brigham calls me to visit old Mr. Gale, who lies in a 
Dving State. I prayed by him. In returning visit old 
Lieut Forbush and his Wife. Breck returns from Boston, 
and brings Sally and her son Sam. A letter from Mr. 
Moore, says his Negro man Cato is dead. 

30 Squire Benj. Whipple from Otter Creek here. Rode 
to Shrewsbury Lecture-had Deacon Wood's Horse. I 
dind at Mr. Sumner's, Mr. Whitney there, also several 
young Students, Stone and Crosby. I preached on Luke 
22 15. not much enlarging on y^ Answers to questions i & 
. Returned at eve. I marryed Mr. Edward Brigham to 

Miss Sally Miller, heretofore of . The Fee given was 

20 Dollars. Old Mr. Abr'" Gale dyed. 

October 1779 
I would thankfully acknowledge y^ Goodness of God in 
preserving me to another month, and pray I spend this to 
ye divine Glory. I was closely engaged— but Mr. Bathenck 
is urgent to talk with me about y^ Affair of Mr. Adams 
and his Wife. 



lyO DIAKY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

2. Surprizing Stor^- concerning a negro Familj'^ of 
Natick, whom one Mr. Damon has sold, Surprized and sent 
off as slaves, they are recovered, and now on y^ Road 
returning to Natick. 

Mr. James Bellows of Rutland here, and receives from me 
a Certificate concerning his Wife Thomasin. Old Mr. Gale 
was buryed. I attended and prayed at y^ Funeral. N. B. 
had a good deal of conversation with old Mr. John Crawford 
of North Shrewsbury, who was at y'^ Funeral. 

3. I met with so much interruption this last week. 
y' I was obliged both parts of y'^ Da\' to improve former 
preparations — on 2 Thes : 3.1. to page 1 7 . May divine Energy 
accompany y^ Word and render it effectual ! Mr. Abijah 
Gale and his sister Jones dind with us. 

4. Mr. Langton and his .son returning from Farmington 
hotiie to York, call here. Capt. John Wood's wife sends 
for women p. m. & Mrs. P. goes and tarrys. 

1 The historian of Natick and the Boston newspapers of the day 
do not mention this " surprizing story," but Mrs. Harriet Beecher 
vStowe uses it in her chapter in Old Town Folks, entitled A Raid 
on Old Town. 

" Wal," says Sam Lawson, " it 's Aunt Nancy Prime's children. 
Last night the kidnappers come to her house an' took her an' 
every single one of the child'en an' goin' to carry 'em off to York 
State for slaves." They were rescued and restored to their home 
through the instrumentality of Ellery Davenport and Sam Lawson. 

A letter from a pupil of Prof. Stowe's, who had heard him, and 
his own parents as well, tell the story, says that : " The familj' 
name of the stolen negroes was Boston, and they lived on the 
other shore of Lake Waban, opposite Wellesley College and in 
plain sight of the college. The home of the Bostons was in the 
Wilderness and no neighbors were in sight." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. IJ^ 

5. Mrs. P. at y^ Groaning still. Sally and Sophy, though 
it is a stormy Day, ride in her chaise to Capt. Maynard's— 
at night Mrs. P. returned with Joy for y'^ Deliverance— a 
Dauter is born. To God be glory and praise ! 

6. Read Reynolds Gt. Revenge against Murder. Albe- 
mare & Clara &c. &c. 

7. Elias comes up from Cambridge for money to pay his 
Quarter Bills to May 28 last, which he says is £M- 8- 4- 
which gives me .some Perplexity, seeing I have given him 
so much especially last August to pay tho.se Bills. N. B. 
on August 17 an hundred Dollars and on Y 24 thirty Dol- 
lars more. Mr. Jacob Foster has been with us and dind 
here. He is returning to New Castle. I visit old Neighbor 
Pratt and his wife, Warren &c. 

8. Breck lends me the money I want for Elias viz. 231 
Dollars. We are unhappily low in y^ Meat Tub : which 
induced me to go to r Squires & Deacons, to enquire about 
Supplys. Drank Tea at y^ Groaning House (Capt. Woods) 
there being both old and young Mrs. Bakers. 

9. EHas is up before Day to set off for Cambridge ; & 
I gave him y" whole of y^ Money which I borrowed of Breck 
for him. viz. 231 Dollars, which was to enable him to pay 
his Quarter Bills. 

ID. A. M. Read Deut. 32. . In preacjiing read v. 7 
but carried on y'^ .same subject which was begun on Isa. 46. 
3-4. The Selectmen were together at noon, & after ser- 
mon on 2 Thes. 3. i from p. 17 to 22. & administered Bap- 
tism. Mr. Gale came up to y*^ Pulpit to desire me to read 
y'= Congress's Circular Letter, which after Y Bles.sing, I 
read part of, and then left y^ Congregation to read among 



172 DIARY OF KEY. EBENEZEK PARKMAN. 

themseh-es, \Yhich I suppose they did. N. B. I read after 
sermon the Yotes of Convention concerning Boston, as Dr. 
Hawes requested. { Dr. Hawes was with me with the YOte 
of the Convention at Concord concerning y*^ Distre.s.ses of 
many people in Boston, to be read publickly) 

11. Tliis day we cutt up, carted home and hu.sked out 
our Indian Corn. Eph'" Tucker went with my Team and 
Deacon Wood with his. about nine dind here. There were 
forty or more of Men and Boys at Eve, and .several Neigh- 
bors were so generous as to contribute to y'^ Entertainment. 
Squire Baker above 50 lbs of Meat, Mr. Eb"^ Forbes, Beef 
& 3 cabbages Lt. Bond, Pork, Mr. Barnabas Newton, a 
Cheese, Breck, sufficient Rum. Thro y'^ Goodness of God 
we had a good crop Sound Corn and y'^ Joy of Harvest. To 
Him be all Honor & Glory I We sang latter part of Ps. 65. 

12. Breck waits upon Sally and her son Sam to Concord, 
p. M. I preached at Mr. Daniel Forbes' s, especialh^ to old 
Mrs. Stone, heretofore of Charlestown, a Maiden about 75 
years old. 

Text was Eph. i . 14 which may God succeed and prosper ! 

When I came home to my Surprise found Sister Lydia 
Champney was here, brot by Mr. Caldwell of Sutton and he 
was gone before I returned from Meeting. 

13. Breck returns from Concord, and dines with us. p. 
M. He is with y'^ Officers at Coll. Wheelock's preparing 
orders to send out Men immediately according to Requisi- 
tion from Gen'l Washington. Mr. James Dix has been here. 
He desires me to a.sk Capt. John Wood, whether he did not 
write the word [Nov'.] in a certain Instrument presented 
before me? My Answer was, Mr. Dix, I am ready and 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 73 

willing to Serve you in any Matter or Affair which is fit and 
which is prepared according to Gospel Rule : 77//V is not at 
present. 

I directed him to wdiat is written in Proverbs 25 g, & 
Mat: 18. 15. 16 &c — Luke Baldwin' from Brookfield and 
lodges, a pretty, agreeable, hopeful Lad ! May God make 
him a great Blessing ! 

14. I was obliged to leave my Study and ride up to 
Lieut. John". Grout's about some Cyder which Mr. Eli 
Whitney gives me. I dind at y Lieut's. Meet with Mr. 
Joseph Grout there, and he has much to say about y*^ sad 
case of his Sister Adams. I advi.sed to have it laid before a 
few Brethren, and not suffer it to come into y^ church. I 
called at Squire Bakers & found Reason to urge y"^ Same 
Thing. Mr. Gushing from Ashburnham. He has led an 
Horse for Sophy to ride there. He lodges here. 

A Letter from Mr. Quincy dated Sept. 23 X. B. Luke 
Baldwin goes on his Way to Cambridge to wait on his 
Brother Isaac in going home. 

1 Luke Baldwin was the youngest child of Mr. Parknian's daugh- 
ter Lucy and Col. Jeduthan Baldwin, and was ten years old, while 
his brother Isaac was a lad of fifteen. 

Col. Jeduthan, whom Mr. Parkman often mentions, was a lead- 
ing man in Brookfield, and in the army. He was captain in 1755 in 
an expedition against Crown Point, and served in the Revolution. 
He was a member of the Provincial Congress, and an original sub- 
scriber to the fund for Leicester Acadenn-, giving ,/;'ioo. He died 
in 1788, and after his death his widow married her brother-in-law, 
the Rev. Eli Forbes. 

Luke was married in 1789 to Polly Avery, of Boston, and settled 
in West Boylston. 



174 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 




JUnCE EUMfNI) OUIXCV. 



15. Mr. dishing and Soph}- set out early for Ashburn- 
ham. At Night arrived the two Baldwins from Cambridge 
and lodge here. 

16. Baldwins to Brookfield. 

17. Preached a. m. on Isa: 46. 3 & 4 p m. on 2 Thes. 
3. I. Mrs. Maynard and Mr. Hazzeltine dind here. N. 
B. Capt. Fisher after y"" Blessing desires y'^ Company to- 
morrow morning. 

iS. A sort of Military Gathering for y^ purpo.se of rais- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 75 

ing men to go to y" westward for y'' Continental Service, for 
3 or 4 men. 

I visited Asahel Biglow who is exceeding bad of Inflam- 
mation of his Bowels — prayed with him. 

19. I rode to Mr. Biglow' s at West Sudbury — it being 
Minister's Meeting. Mr. Stone, Mr. Smath and Mr. Bridge 
were all that came. Mr. Biglow prayed — no Concio — con- 
versation on y« Difficulties Ministers undergo by y'^ depre- 
ciated Currency. I prayed at y^ Close. Mr. Stone and I 
lodged there, and very agreeably. 

20. In y'^ morning perplexed^Our Horses had left us. 
I rode Mr. Biglow' s Horse in Search after y'". Found y'" 
at Mr. Samuel Sherman's in Marlboro. 'l went on to Mr. 
Stone's and informed his Son who sent back Mr. Biglow' s 
Horse and his Father's from Mr. Sherman's, so y^ I came 
home. Elias was come from Cambridge and with him 
Gen'l Ward's Son (whose Brother led down Breck's Horse 
for Elias to come up on) and Parkman Bradshaw here like- 
wise — he lodged here and Master Foot, going to Colchester. 
N. B. Mr. Johnson of Lyn & his Lady had been here 
while I was absent. 

21. I visited and prayed with A.sahel Biglow, who is 
much better On his Horse I rode to Southboro' & 
preached y*^ Lecture on Luke 22. 15. which may God 
graciously own and bless ! Returned at eve. 

22. Breck is building another small Store. Mr. Jacob 
Foster and his Lady going to Canterbury, called and dind 
here. Nigh night came Lydia and Suse Parkman from 
Concord and lodged here. 

23. Sorrowful news from Cambridge of y'= Drowning of 



176 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

a young Studtnt at fresh Pond in Cambridge yesterday. 
His name was Charles Cutter, a soph-more. The Body not 
found at nine this morning. May y*^ Lord sanctifie it to all, 
especially his own Classmates and Friends. Breck raised 
his new Store. 

24 Preached once more on Isa. 46. 4. nobody dind 
here. I consulted y"^ Deacons about having y^ Communion 
notwithstanding the Trouble with some Members, about 
Mr. Adams. Preached on Prov: 27. i, occasioned by y" 
late Disaster at Cambridge. N. B. My son Elias was so 
far effected by that Providence, that he, by a note, desired 
Prayers in y'' Congregation that God would Sanctifie it to 
him. 

I appointed y" Communion and lecture. 

At eve, Breck and vSuse, her Brother Elijah &c. were 
with us and Sang. 

25. Breck to Boston. In his way carrys Suse and y'^ 
Child to Col. Brigham's. Mr. Francis Whipple of New 
Braintree makes us a visit. I began to read Mr. Buckmins- 
ter against Mr. Isaac Foster, which was sent me by y'^ au- 
thor, by means of Mr. Maccarty. But was interrupted by 
y'^ coming in of Mr. Belknap and after him half a score of y-' 
Brethren of y*^ Church besides, one after another, to confer 
about Mr. D. Adams and his Wife. Those that came (be- 
sides Mr. Belknap) were Deac. Bond and Deac. W^ood, 
Messrs. Daniel Forbes, Benj. Tainter, Joseph Grout, Jon" 
Grout, Levi Warren, Eli Whitney, Joseph Harrington, Jon" 
Forbes. They agree upon a small number of them to go 
to Mr. Adam's tomorrow, to advise him to consent to choos- 
ing together with his wife. Referees before whom to try 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 77 

their Affair, or at least to take Counsel of them in order to 
Settlement, and Mr. Adams is to be apprized y' these Breth- 
ren request y' notice be given after y^ next Lecture y' as 
many of y*^ Brethren as shall incline to are desired to stop 
a little for further Conference upon those Matters. — 

26. Stephen Fay desires to be Marryed next Thursday, 
and that the wedding may be at Mr. Andrews', who requests 
I would go to his House. I am preparing for next Sabbath. 

27. Mr. Stone came to my Help. He dind here and 
preached my Lecture on Rev: 22. ir former parts "Let 
him that is unjust" &c. And may God graciously afford 
His Almighty Blessing ! A number of Brethren stopped to 
confer together about Mr. Daniel Adams' case. A few had 
been to him to know whether he would join with his Wife 
to choose some Men to hear and advise y"\ but he refused 
and did now before y^ Brethren y' were together today. 
N. B. Dea. Phelps, Mr. Jon" Twitchell, and Coll. Aaron 
Perry, all of Holliston were at Mr. Adams' Request with 
us. But nothing was done Except y* Mr. Adams in defend- 
ing his Refusal to do any more, pleaded how much he had 
done in going to her, to persuade her to return, taking men 
xvith him — icriting to her &c I left y"'. But I was in- 
formed when I was come away Mr. Adams warned all of 
them again.st entertaining his Wife. At eve, about 8 or 9 
Brethren were here at my House, viz. Messrs. Belknap, 
Dan. Forbes, Batheric, Two Grouts, Eli Whitney, Jon" 
Forbes. They agree to have 2 or 3 of them to go to Mr. 
Adams in .some short time, to see what his mind is since 
his Three Friends advising. Mr. Lsaac Parker and his 
Wife desire to come and join y*^ Church. N. B. A num- 



1 78 DIARY OF REV. KBENEZER PARKMAX. 

ber of young Gentlemen, Graduates, were here to see 
Elias. 

28. Elias goes to Worcester in }'"= Room of Mr. Elijah 
Brigham to fetch y'^ Spy in his stead. He brings it, and 
contains Mr. Dan' Adams' Caution^ to all people not to trust 
his Wife. 

p. M. by desire I rode to Mr. Andrews" and marryed 
Stephen Fay to Betty Andrews and John Warren to Anna 
Forbush. 

N. B. A great deal of Company and plentiful Entertain- 
ment. We Sung part of Ps. 45. N. B. In administering 
y^ Covenant, I made a Mistake in mentioning y"^ Names of 
y*^ Brides. 

When I came home, found here my Kinsman Bryant, and 
her Dauter, Mrs. Pearn Atwell, & her little Girl, Pearn, 
in a Chaise. Timothy also came to wait on his Mother and 
Sister. They lodged here. 

29. Mrs. Grout (wife of Mr. Joseph) came to y*^ Door, 
upon her Reading the Publication in yesterday's Spy. 
Spoke of y'^ great Reason her poor Sister has to refuse to 
live with Adams any more. 

30. One John Fletcher, who says he was of Pomfret, but 



1 From the Worcester Sp)' of Oct. 28, 1779. 

"Whereas Perces, the wife of me the subscriber, has absented 
herself from me and family, and refuses to return to her duty, al- 
though often requested by myself and others, and I am apprehen- 
sive she may run me in debt. These are therefore to caution all 
persons against trusting her on my account for I will not discharge 
any debt she may contract from and after this date. 

Daniki, Adams. 

Westborough, (State of Massachusetts Bay). Oct. 19. 1779." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 79 

has been a Prisoner and is come from Halifax Jayl, wants 
Refreshment, which was given him, but there was Reason 
to suppose he drinkd too much. Elias brot home Suse from 
his Father Brigham's. p. :m. Breck returned from Cape 
Ann. 

31. I preached again on Ps. 36.7 and dilated on some 
Instances, particularly Mr. Joseph Alleine, and the Two 
Janeways.W" y^ Father and John. I administered y'= Lord's 
Supper— a number of Strangers with us. My kinswoman 
Atwell, member of Mr, Roby's Church at Lynn, partook. 
Master Hazzletine dind with us — p. m. preached on Isa : 
50.10. I received today by Mr. Francis Barns, a proclama- 
tion for a Day of Humiliation «& Supplication, which I 
read. 

N. B. I baptized Mr. Davis's son Isaac. N. B. I was 
greatly Spent — insomuch y' I went down to y'^ Elder's Seat 
without praying, but prayed there. At eve, Breck read 
Mr. Henry's Communication, Comp. Ch. 12 in part. 

November 1779 

May God grant y*^ Grace, that as Time is swiftly Spend- 
ing, I may do with my might what my Hands find to do ! 
I am much concerned about my preparations for y^ Day of 
Solemn Humiliation before us It being unusual, and called 
in y^ Proclamation, neither Fast nor Thanksgiving. I have 
also much interruption by y^ Company which still continue 
with us : yet they are dear to me. 

2. My Kinswoman and her vSon and Dauter are pre- 
vented journeying by Rain, till it w^as (they conceived) 



l8o DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

too late. Mr. Aaron Crosby^ of Blandford here, in his way 
to Boston. 

3. It being bright, tho cold, my Cousin Bryant and her 
children leave us to return to Stoneham N. B. I gave 
her 14 Dollars for making and mending 3 pair of Shooes 
by her Son Elias Bryant & to Tim, Leather for a pair of 
Shooes. Mr. Parkman Bradshaw came from Brookfield, & 
is going to Stougtonham and thence to Cambridge. He 
dines here — Seems to be a solid, pious young man, and a 
Lover of Learning. I engage him to befriend my dear son, 
that he may continue at College, tho it must be with no 
small Difficulty, as my Circumstances now are. But I pray 
my Confidence may be in God alone, who has ever provided 
for me, and helped me hitherto I D. G I 

4. A Day of Humiliation and Prayer with Thank.sgiv- 
ing. I named for my Text a. & p. m. Ps. 51. 17 made a 
large Introduction, explaining the Proclamation, and then 
used some former Preparations on that, mentioned pas.sage, 
with various alterations and additions. I had expected Mr. 
Crosby to help me, but he came not till near y'^ Close of y"' 
Exercises. He was with us at eve and then went to his 
Brother vSamuel's. Three Brethren of y'^ Church, viz. 
Messrs. Batheric, Gale and Dr. Hawes came here and de- 
sired me to give notice to y'= other Brethren of y'' Church, 

■Aaron Crosby was a son of Samuel Crosby, of Shrewsbury, and 
brother of Dr. Samuel, who had married Azubah Howe, of West- 
borough. This Aaron was a missionary to the Indians. Dr. Crosby, 
whom Aaron goes to see, lived in the southeast part of Shrewsbury, 
on Boston Hill. He was a surgeon in the Revolution, and practiced 
in vShrewsbury till 1781. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. i8i 

after ye Kxercises of next Sabbath, to tarrj' and confer a lit- 
tle further upon y*^ Adams affair. 

5. Elias went early to Brookfield for y'= rest of my Cattle 
at Coit Hill. Benj. Grout was here for his pay for making 
3 pair of Shooes : and I therefore wrote him a note to Breck, 
for 63/ old Ten' of old value. 

6. Elias returned with y" Cattle, & had a good Jour- 
ney. N. B. He paid Landlord Jones^ of Worcester 2 Dol- 
lars for pasturing one yearling. He asked a Dollar per 
week. 

7. I preached a. m. on Ps : 36.7. p m. on Prov. 1.23. for 
next Thursday has been appointed for y^ Execution of David 
Young. Mr. Moses Brigham & Mrs. Maynard dind here. 
At eve a Letter received from Mr. Caleb Alexander. 

8. I vi.sited and prayed with Asahel Biglow. p. m. Mrs. 
Dolly Rice here and drank Tea with us. Five Men are 
requested to go to Mr. Adams & to his Wife to perswade y'" 
to Reconciliation. They are. Squire Baker, Deac. Wood, 
Mr. Daniel Forbes, Mr. Gale and Mr. Twitchell. 

9. Mr. Levi Warrin here to kill a Cow for me, and informs 
me that the Said Brethren were together and that Mr. Adams 
was with them. That they were together till midnight, and 
then adjourned to next Sennight. 

The Cow turns out well. Mr. Warrin dines here, & gives 
his work. p. m. Mrs. Baker and her sister Bowman of Oxford 
make us a vi.sit. 



1 Landlord Jones kept the Jones Tavern in New Worcester, on 
the corner of Leicester and Apricot streets. It would be on Elias' 
route as he came down from Brookfield. 



1 82 DIARY OF KEY. EBEXKZER PARKMAN. 

11. Elias goes to Worcester to y*^ Execution of Robert 
Young, who was condemned and hanged for a Rape on Jane 
Green of Brookfield. At Eve. I went to Capt. Fisher's, who 
reads part of y'^ Report of y"^ Committee for forming a plan 
of Government. I borrow of him y*^ new Military Dictionary 
vol. 2. by T. Simes Esq. 

12. Have news of y" poor Criminal's Behaviour yester- 
day. Mr. Maccarty^ preached. 

13. Mr. Isaac Parker was here and brot his own and his 
Wife's Relations. He excused the incorrectness of his for 
want of Time, & took it again. 

14. Thro' y*^ great Goodness of God I am allowed to 
begin another year of Sabbaths, and would gratefully praise 
His Glorious Name ! I preached a. m. on Deut : 32. 46-47, 
which may God graciously impress us with I Mr. S. Barrett 
and his Dauter Nancy with us and dind here. p. m. deliv- 
ered y*^ Remainder of sermon on Prov: i. 28 as being season- 
able Warning after y*^ late Execution. O y' my own Soul 
might be deeply impressed ! — propounded Isaac <S: Margery 
Parker to join with y^ Church. 

15. Ephraim having rid home on Saturday eve, returned 
this morning. I visited Capt. Wood's Wife and prayed 
with her, she being very low. p :\i. By Mr. Hezekiah 
Maynard of Marlboro, I sent Mr. vSimon How's Book of y^ 
Indian Wars. 

16. Visit Mrs. Wood again. Having read I returned to 

' Rev. Thaddeus Maccarty, pastor of the old South Church in 
Worcester from 1747 to 1784. He was " tall, sleuder and thin with 
a black, penetrating eye, which added to his effectiveness in speak- 
ing." 



DIARY OF RKV 



KBENEZER PARKMAN. I 83 



Capt. Fisher his Draught of y' Plan of Government ! Dnicl 
at Squire Baker's. Consult him about paying my Young 
Man (Parker) and I went to Lt. Joseph Bond's on y^ same 
Affair. Miss Rebecca Nurse here to be examined. Widow 
Rhoda Maynard here with her. 

17. Messrs. Brigham and May lodged here last night. 
Elias goes to Cambridge and Boston. Mr. Kendal of 

Southboro' here to look of (Sic) my Sheep. Mr. Isaac 
Parker with his Relation. 

18. Read several Lives in \o\. II (B) of Biographical 
Dictionary. Mrs. Parker (Isaac's Wife) & Miss Anna 
Parker ( Eph-'s Sister) made us a Visit. Deacon Doliber 
sends me a Present of Fish. 

19. Deac. Doliber calls here in his way home — gives 
me account of the Grants of their Society at Marblehead to 
their Minister for r year, p m. Elias returns home from 
Cambridge, but has not seen the President, tho I wrote 
him by Elias. 

Letters from Ashburnham informing that Mrs. Cushmg 
was delivered of a Son^ on Wednesday Oct. 27, and it is 
called Doddridge. 

20. Have been and am now much engaged in y^ Pro- 
phetic Visions of Zechary. May God greatly illuminate 
my Soul with Truth ! 

21. On Zech: v. 9-1 1. And finished my exercises on 
that chapter, p. m. preached my sermon on Isa. 63. 9-15- 

1 Doddridge Cushiag, born Oct. 27, i779- was the sou of Mr. Park- 
man's daughter Sarah and the Rev. John Gushing. He died un- 
married in 1866. 



184 DIARY OF REV. EBEXEZER PAKKMAX. 

I propounded Rebecca Nurse to join in full Comiiiunion 
with y^ Church. 

Sometimes we have no Singing in y'' F'amily on so much 
as vSabbath Evenings. But we had this evening. Josiah 
Brigham is wont to lodge here and assisted in y" Singing. 

22. Master Elijah goes to Ashburnham, expecting Sophy 
to return. I wrote by him. I visited Mr. Jon" Tainter's 
sick Child & prayed therewith. I rode up then to Mr. Eli 
Whitney's & dind there, and visited Mr. Benj. Wood and 
his Family (no Kindred between Deac. and him. Some 
words pass about his .son Reuben's living with me. Went 
in also to Mr. Eben'' Miller's. N. B. At vSquire Baker's 
was assured that Mr. D. Adams did verily sign what was 
last published ' in y"^ Spy : retracting what was publi.shed 
before. Eph'". Parker comes up this evening to reckon 
with me for his nine months Work for me : first for six 
months, and for them asks my biggest Oxen, for which I 
am told I may have ^{,"500, and for y^ other three months as 
y^ price is stated. But he would have me ask Advice of 
my Neighbors. 

23. I walked to Mr. Eb' Forbush, to talk with him, and 
he not being at home spent some time with his Father and 
Mother. In returning I made an Opportunity with Mr. 



^ " Whereas the subscriber through my own weakness and imper- 
fection, have inadvertently advertised and cried down Perces my 
wife in the three preceding papers, these are therefore to give public 
notice, that I am convinced of my imprudence in so doing, am very 
sorry for my conduct, and for the injury done her, desire her for- 
giveness and do now recall the former inconsiderate publication. 

Daniel Ad.\ms." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZKR PARKMAN. 1 85 

Elijah Hardy, who tells me that he gave his Young Man 
for six months, not /250, and Mr. Benj. Fay not more. I 
next talked with Mr. Barnabas Newton, who will take it 
into Thought. At eve, speak with Caleb Harrington. But 
Parker is gone over to his Brother Elisha's. 

24. Mr. Brigham returned from Ashburnham and Sophy 
with him. Left all well there, & Mrs. Winchester is will- 
ing to send me her W". 

25. Mr. Elisha Parker came, and Eph'" and I came to 
some agreement viz : to give him my Principal Oxen for 
seven months of his work : and to pay him in Money or In- 
dian Corn for y'^ two Months of October and November, ac- 
cording to common custom, in y'^ old way or in proportion 
as men's wages are for youths'. 

26. I had too many anxious Thoughts about y'^ high 
Demands of Eph'". 

27. Elisha Parker came when I was about paying Eph- 
raim, but a Controversie arose concerning ]Vhatzvasy' Usual 
Custom at this time of y' great Alteration of Money -within these 

few iceeks. Eph'" would take no less than /60 for y^ Two 
Months. I was not willing to give any more y" 55. But I 
was obliged to borrow y^ money of my son Breck, and they 
all went to y'' Shop, where Breck gave Ephraim y^ whole 
Sum he required, viz : /60, and so he went to his brother 
Elisha's with y'^ Cattle on y« Cart to carry his Chest and 
things there, promising to come and make up y'' Time, viz. 5 
Days y' yet remains next week & onward. 

28. Preached a. & p. m. with new Introduction, Ser- 
mons on Heb. 5.9. to p. 12. Mrs. Maynard dind here, as 



1 86 DIARY OF REV. EBKNEZER PARKMAX. 

did Eph'" Parker — p. :si. read proclamation for Thanksgiv- 
ing. 

29. Mr. Dan. Matthis of New Braintry was here to con- 
snlt me about their Troubles with Mr. Foster's Doctrines, 
but I could not tarry long with him, because I was prepar- 
ing a line to send to y*^ Town (of Westb. ) who this Day have 
a Meeting to Consider my Sallery. They met. Mr. Gale 
was Moderator. I humbly waited upon God most high in y^ 
first place and then sent my Paper, entertaining myself with 
Judge Hale's Meditation on Contentation. My mind was 
wrot into a placid F'rame ; in some Measure resigned to y'= 
Disposals of Providence. At eve, by Lieut Grout I under- 
stood y' y'= Town has voted to make up my Sailer^- /,'i300, 
and 40 Cord of Wood. For which G. D. 

30. Read Judge Hale of a good Method to entertain 
unstable & troublesome Times — and of Redeeming Time. 
In y'^ Evening unbent a while with reading Mr. de Lange's 
Journal at Peking. 

30. Miss Rebecca Nurse here and gave me her Relation. 
By reason of a debate about those votes aforesaid by a 
Friend that came in, Sent to Col. Wheelock, y^ Town Clerk, 
for y'^ Transactions of y'' Town yesterday, relative to me : 
who wrote that They voted and granted to make up the Rev. 
Mr. Parkman's Stated yearly Sallery for y'' year ensuing 

Voted to get the Rev. Mr. Parkman 40 Cord of Wood the 
year ensuing. Signed Moses Wheelock. Town Clerk. 

My Kinsman Parkman Bradshaw came from Cambridge 
by y'^ way of his Father's, and lodges here. I wrote to my 



DIARY OF KEV. EBENEZER PARK:MAN. 1 87 

old and esteemed Friend, Mr. Ouincy, having much Solace 
in this Correspondence. 

Thus ends y*^ short month of November — An Emblem of 
this short lyife ! On Retrospect, how very little has been 
done of y^ Grand Business, with all y*^ Advantages in mj' 
Hands ! but how many my Deficiencies, how many and 
grievous my Miscarriages ! May y'= blood of Jesus Christ 
cleanse from all my Guilt and Errors ! 

December 1779 ~ 

It is of God's great Goodness I am thus indulged to begin 
another Month. Breck to Boston and Dr. Havves and his 
Wife make us a visit and drink Tea. 

2. Deac. Wood brings Mr. W'". Campbell, heretofore of 
Oxford to see me. He offers to buy my Sheep, but I dont 
incline to sell part without he takes y*^ whole. I read Lives 
of Squire Boyle, Charles Boyle & others. 

3. The Doctor brings me a Third Vol. of Biographical 
Dictionary from Mr. Cranch. Mr. Joseph Grout brot me a 
lyCtter from Mrs. Abigail Davis, (heretofore Nichols) who 
had lived ten years at Mr. Moses Warrin's, bearing testi- 
mony concerning y'' Harmony between him and his Wife 
Persis, y'^ present Mrs. Adams. Mr. Eben"^ Maynard came 
and acquainted me that his mother Winchester Expired last 
night, at 10 o'clock in her 79"' year. The Lord prepare me 
for my own Decease ! 

4. Breck returns from Boston, my Relations well there. 
He brings me a present from my son Samuel, a valuable 
Silk Handkerchief of Fifty Dollar price, much wanted : my 



I88 DIARY OF KEY. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

son William his Wife and Young Child John, rode here in 
their Chaise, arrived in y^ Evening. 

5. Preached A. M. on Zech VI. 1-7. p. m. went on with 
discourse on Heb : 5. 9 — admitted Isaac Parker and Wife, 
also Rebecca Nurse into Communion. May God accept 
them and make them Ornaments to Christianity. 

6. Was called away to see a young Son of Capt. Jonas 
Brigham viz. his son William in his 12*'' year, who was 
thot to be under extremely dangerous Symptoms. I went, 
prayed, breakfasted there. p. m. Town Meeting by 
Adjournment. Capt Morse was here, full of earnest 
advice & Entreaty that I would send something to y^ Town 
of my Thanks for what they had done lately for me, and 
my satisfaction in it. I accordingly wrote a paper and sent 
it by Mr. Joseph Harrington, and he was here at eve to 
acquaint me how it was accepted, and he believed it was zee//. 

7. Mr. Edward Brigham came to acquaint me that his 
Brother dyed this morning and to desire me to attend y*" 
Funeral on Thursday, at nine A. m. I remonstrated, but 
it was settled, I suppose. 

8. Mr. Samuel Forbush, Mr. Solomon Batheric, & Mr. 
Nathan Maynard jun' came with their Teams and brot 
Wood. The two former two Load, the latter, one. 

9. General Thanksgiving thro out the States. 

I did not go to Capt. Brigham's, as I was at first desired, 
Mr. Edward had come yesterday and told me his Father 
would conform to y'^ proposal to bring y*^ Corps to y^ Meet- 
ing-House. They did so, and I prayed there. After this 
they proceeded to y'^ Interment and I went to y^ Grave 
with v"'. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 89 

We re-entered y" Meeting-House and having prayed 
already began with singing. Preached on Ps. 68. 26-28. 
I took to my House a Stranger, one Mr. Jo.seph Thompson, 
by Birth, a Philadelphian. At eve we had singing at my 
House, a number of young Gentlemen came, besides Mr. 
Elijah Brigham, and Josiah Brigham, Mr. Moses and Mr. 
Saml Brigham, Mr. May (the two last lodged among us) 
and Master Hazzletine. This evening also Eleazar Wheelock 
and Thankful Maynard (Captain's Dauter) were married — 
such a Variety of Exercises had I in one Day ! May God 
forgive what was amiss, and accept what was (thro Grace) 
sincere ! 

10. Breck, Suse and Sophy (by invitation) ride in y'' 
Sleigh to Col. Brigham's. Mr. May goes to Boston. At 
Mr. Stone's Request I headed a number of Papers of Sub- 
scriptions for printing a spirited Letter against Mr. Isaac 
Foster, Sent one to Mr. Stone, gave to Mr. Simon How, to 
Mr. Moses Brigham, Mr. Isaac Parker, to Master Sam 
Brigham, each of them a Paper in Trust to promote Sub- 
scribing. The account from Northboro is confirmed that 
they have there voted Mr. Whitney for this year 3ooo/^ 
Messrs. Forbush and Batheric bring old W^ood, 2 Load 
apiece. The weather prevented my visiting Mr. Jon" Childs' 
sick Dauter. I wrote to Mrs. Winchester of Ashburnham 
concerning her son Billy to come and live here. 

1 1 . Sent to Ashburnham by Harvey Maynard. I cant 
change with any minister. I there review and make large 
additions to former preparations, which I humbly hope God 
will graciously accept through Jesus Christ. 

12. Mr. Benj. Wilson jun'' came from y" Widow Eager 



igO DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

of Northboro to desire me to attend y*^ Funeral of her 
daughter Cutter tomorrow, (the wife of Ebenezer who is 
among y*^' British troops. I preached A & p. m. on i Pet. 
I. 8. Administered y<= Lord's Supper. Master Hazzleton 
and Mrs. Maynard dind here. May God graciously accept 
our offerings ! N. B. Cold, stormy, few at Communion. 

13. Deacon Wood came with his chaise to go to Mrs. 
Cutter's Funeral, but it was too stormy for me to venture. 
Elias rode with him. 

14. I sent by Dr. Hawes, Mr. Cranch's 2'' Vol. of Biogr. 
Also my Watch for a new Crystal. Mr. Elisha Parker brot 
me several worthy presents. Beef and Tea, 10 lb. of one, Y-z 
lb. t'other. 

15. Read part of Biographical Dictionary. The Lives of 
Confucius &c. Messrs. Sam. Forbush and Sol. Batheric 
sledding wood from the Minister's Lot. Newspapers from 
Boston and Worcester. Received a Letter from Bethiah 
Parmenter, alias Wheeton, dated Hopkinton, Oct. 19. 1779 
open & dirt\', desiring a Contribution. 

16. Went to Deac. Wood to inquire about y'^ Letter 
received la.st evening. Wrote to Mr. Fitch about it & en- 
closed it. Sent it to Deac. Wood by young Asa Brigham 
for conveyance. Messrs. Forbush and Batheric more wood. 
Gave y^ former a Receipt for ten cord. He tells me y*^ Town 
\'oted to give 7^ per cord to Four of y'" 70^ apiece for 10 
cord each. viz. Sam' Forbu.sh, Solomon Batheric, Nathan 
Maynard Jun' & Jon" Maynard, who have undertaken to 
bring 40 cords. 

17. Breck to Sutton in y*^ Sleigh to get Paper. Succeeds 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. I91 

but in part. Elias has borrowed a mathematical manuscript 
which he is transcribing. 

1 8. It is exceeding Stormy, snowing, blowing and very 
cold, but thro God's great Goodness, we have Shelter, Wood, 
Bread, Meat, Drink, Cloths but especially Health, Reason, 
above all y*^ Day of means of Grace ! to His Name be praise 
and glory ! May God commeserate y*" exposed, and y'^ 
Necessitous ! 

19. Difficult getting to Meeting, but few there. I w^as 
first, preached A. M. on Zech. vi. 8*'' and from v 9-11. P. 
M. Went on with and concluded Sermon on Hab. 5.9. 
which may y'^ Lord bless to us ! At eve read part of Flem- 
ing's Confirming Work of Religion. 

20. A very cold season, & continues so. I am engaged 
in Biographical Dictionary. C. Confucius, Cato, Casaubon, 
Mons. L,e Clerk &c. 

21. Mr. W" Chandler of Pomfret in straight for a sled 
to go to Framingham. I have let him have mine, & he 
leaves his Waggon here. 

22. I am taken up very much with Biography. The 
Life of Lucius Cary who is Lord Falkland, Dr. Sam'l Clark, 
old Mr. Calamy, Des Cartes &c. 

23. Young Chandler returns and solicits for my sled to 
go to Pomfret. I yielded to his Importunity and for Mr. 
Lamson's putting two Guards in front, and for his Journey 
to Framingham he pays me 10 Dollars and for y*^ Sled 50 
Dollars, p. m. came Mr. Nathan Goddard to desire me to 
change with him, who is to be in Mr. Sumner's stead, while 
he is to go to Hubbard's Town to preach for Mr. Parker. 



192 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Mr. Peter Whitney here and relates y'' Proceedings of his 
Parish in granting him 3000/'. 

At eve, Mr. Ruben Puifer and his Brother with a Letter 
from Fisk concerning y*" said Puffer's Examination. I re- 
ferred him to y^ three Ministers which are near to him : 
viz. Messrs. Bridge, Biglow, and Newell. 

24. Breck and Suse, Mr. Brigham and vSophy rode in y" 
Slay to Mr. Whitney's. 

25. I rode up to Shrewsbury^ — to Mr. Nathan Goddard's 
who has persuaded me to take this cold ride. Went to Mr. 
Sumner's who was gone with design to preach tomorrow at 
Hubbard's Town. I lodged at Mr. Sumner's. 

26. Preached at Shrewsbury, a. m. on Ps. 74. 17. p. m. 
on Ps. 90. 10. which may God graciously own and bless ! 
lodged there again. 

27. Breakfast at vSister Cushing's. Vi.sit Mr. Farrar's 
Wife who is sick, dind at Mr. John Maynard's, called at Mr. 
Gershom Brigham's^ and begin to take Thomas's Spy of 
him — went in to Mr. Sam'. Fay's, but neither he nor his 
Wife at home — arrived safe at home. D. G. Mr. Goddard 
preached for me yesterday. His text a. & p. m i Cor : 23. 
24. Dr. Hawes brot me my Watch from Mr. Cranch — the 
new Chrystal cost 12 Dollars. 

This evening came W'" Winchester to live here. 
Mr. Nehemiah Maynard came with him. N. B. His 
father Mr. Nathan Mayjiard sat by and heard. I told Mr. 



1 Mr. Gershom Brigham was the son of Dr. Gershom, of Marlbor- 
ough, and the father of Dr. Gershom of Westborough, and grand- 
father of Col. Josiah, whose portrait, with those of his wife and son, 
hangs in the hall of the Historical Society. The Gershom Brig- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



193 



Maynard that I would do what I could conveniently & rea- 
sonabl}^ in teaching & influencing him in Reading, Writing 
and Cypering, according as his Business in taking care of 
y'= Cattle, Cutting y^ wood &c. would give opportunity and 
as his Capacity should admit it. This was in answer to 
what Mr. Maynard delivered me as Mrs. Winchester's Er- 
rand to me by him. 



ham place was but little out of Mr. Parknian's way as he rode dowu 
from Shrewsbury, and the old house still stands. The new house 
now standing on the opposite side of the road, was built not long 
before 1810. 




GKRSHOM BKIGHAM'S HOUSI 



194 DIARY OF KKV. EBENEZKK PAKKMAX. 

28. Read Biogr. A close time for study, but a great 
vStorm abroad. God be merciful to y*^ poor and to all y"' Ex- 
posed ! 

29. A very dismal morning. vStorm continues till about 
noon. Snow-Banks very high one nigh my saddle-house 6 
feet high. Roads blocked up. What can have become of 
poor Mr. Goddard, who proposed to .set out with Wife & 
children &c. on his great Journey to W^alpole, has sold at 
Shrewsbury and would now move. 

My son Breck had also designed to go in a double vSleigh 
to Ashburnham, but no Team nor vSleigh can Stir. How 
wonderful the Works of y'^ Great God ! 

30. I keep close to my vStudy, tho Mr. Antipas Brigham^ 
had requested me to go to Capt. Edmund's to marry him. 
But nobody disturbs me. Enough to do to keep warm. 

31. Jejan.(?) and Prec. Reflections on y^^ Year past, 
with prai.se for Preservation and numberless Benefits. Hu- 
miliation and Penitence for Ingrat. Deficiencies and Miscar- 
riages. May a gracious & merciful God remitt through 
Jesus Christ — So teach me to number my Days y^ I may ap- 
ply my Heart to true Wisdom ! Et. John Forbes from Ot- 
ter Creek here and gives me account of y'= State of \'ermont. 

1 7 So. 
Jani'akv 
If I have heretofore had great Cau.se to bless and praise 

1 Antipas Hrighani was the son of Capt. Jonas, who lived on his 
father David's homestead. He married Hepsibath Brigham, the 
oldest daughter of I)ea. Edmund, a distant cousin of his. 

See Journal January 24, 1780. 



■ DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 1 95 

y^ Name of God for his Wonderful Mercy & Goodness in my 
and my Families' Preservation, What have I now ! to be per- 
mitted to begin a New Year. I would celebrate His Praises, 
with all Hearty Gratitude. And in Special in so difficult a 
Season, of so Much cold and Snow & tedious stirring, I am 
favoured in divine Providence, with ye Necessarys and so 
many of y"^ Comforts of Life. But in peculiar for y" protract- 
ing y'= Day and Means of Grace, and y'^ blessed Influences of 
y*^ Holy Spirit. I would magnifie y'^ Lord and hope in His 
Salvation. 

People are chiefly employed in making Roads, providing 
for y*^ Fires, taking Care of Cattle, &c. But y'= Lord pitty 
y'^ poor and exposed ! 

2. Exceeding Difficult getting to Meeting. A. M. I 
went on with the discourse on y*^ Everlastingncss of God, 
begun on y last Year first Sabbath, from Ps. xc. 2. Mas- 
ter Hazzletine dind here. p. m. I repeated part of Disc, 
on Ps. 39, 4. O that God would awaken us, and teach us to 
profit hereby ! At night, another Snow storm. 

3. The storm is very severe, much more snow has fallen. 
It was higher than y*^ Red Fence before my House by y^ 
Storm last week : it is now higher, and y*^ Front Gate is not 
to be seen. 

4. God has his Treasures of Snow and Hail and Wind. 
POWER belongeth unto GOD! How distressing to y^ 
Poor ! Read Biographical Dictionary, Cicero, &c. 

5. Thro' Divine Favour this was a bright, pleasant Day. 
Both my Sons and my Steers join with a number of y*^ Street 
Neighbors with Cattle and Shovels to break y'^ Roads. Tis 
difficult to compute y*^ Heighth or Depth of it. I am almo.st 



196 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

ready to conclude that there has not been so much Snow 
upon y'^ Ground at a Time ever since y" Great Snow' in 
year 17 17. 

6. The great God has his Treasures of Snow & has 
supreme Command of all y^ Meteors. It is very stormy 
again, and y*^ Snow deeper, and tho y'^ Sun was visible a 
little while in y*^ p. M, yet it was soon clouded, & y*-' vStorm 
rages at night. 

7. An astonishing morning — for y'^ dreadful Storm 
rather increases. Besides the snowing and blowing with 
violence the cold is ver\^ intense. This is thought to be 
the most tedious of any that has come hitherto. May God 
most compassionate pity and relieve me, and also support 
and provide for y*^ poor ! Who can stand before Thy Cold ! 

1 The snow of 1717 was a terrible storm, of which Cotton Mather 
has left a minute description. This storm of 1780 also passed into 
history. "All the harbors and bays on the Atlantic coast," writes 
Barbour, "as far south as Virgina were frozen. Loaded sleds 
passed from New York to Staten Island; Long Island Sound was 
frozen into a solid highway, where it is several miles in width. 
The birds that winter in this climate almost all perished, and in 
the succeeding spring a few solitary warblers only were heard in 
our groves. The snow was nearly four feet deep in the northern 
Atlantic vStates, for at least three months." 

Under date of January 15, Rev. Mr. Hall, of Sutton, writes in 
his Journal : " Preached last Sabbath in my own House, about 30 
hearers ; to this day the snow is vastly deep and the weather 
extravagantly cold. I walked out one day this week about 40 rods 
to a few neighbors, and was much worried, besides not been from 
home almost three weeks," and again on January 29: " Extream 
cold vet attends. I am a poor Creature and the cold is almost too 
hard for me ! " 



DIAKV OF REV. EBENEZKR PARKMAN. 1 97 

N. B. All y^' Pains taken about breaking Roads, in great 
Measure frustrated. \'ery few persons can stir abroad at all. 

8. Hardly ever was y-^ Sun more welcome— but yet y*^ 
cold is so Sharp and y'= Wind so high, it is very difficult to 
undergo the Hardships we are called to. But what becomes 
of y^ poor who have not the Favors which through y^ great 
goodness of God I enjoy ! — 

9. Tho I had prepared an exercise. & it was a long one, 
yet it not being calculated for y'^ Season, I did not use it. 
I was in Doubt whether there would a Meeting. But a few 
came upon Racketts : and I repeated what remained from 
last Sabbath's Entertainment upon Ps. 39. 4 A & p. m. for I 
was obliged for my own Sake and for y*^ Sake of y*^ People 
to be exceeding brief. A number of men came to my 
kitchen at noon, and I shortened y'^ Intermission. Mr. 
D. Forbes is extremely bad, & desires Continuance of 
Prayers. At eve I read to y" Family part of Mr. Shep- 
herd's Doubting Christian drawn to Christ, in my study y^ 
Life of Susanna, Countess of Suffi^lk. 

10. The Life of Mr. Daniel Forbes is much doubted of, 
but I cant get to him by reason of y'' deep snow, and difficult 
stirring. I am chiefly reading lives of eminent Persons. 

11. Mr. Forbes still alive, but no Horse can go in y'' 
deep snow, but I have no Racketts nor Strength to go far, 
as to visit him. Send my Love and Sympathy by those who 
(eight of y"') draw on an Hand Sled his two Dauters For- 
bush and Bond to see him before he dies. My Heart is much 
with him, & to God for him. Mr. Hannaniah Parker return- 
ing from him comes in at eve to let me know he is yet alive, 
tho with signs as they think of Death upon him. May it 



198 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARK:MAX. 

please God to be almightily present with him ! His Brother 
Fisk has been on Racketts there. 

12. Fair, but too rough and severe for me to go abroad, 
and therefore cant visit Mr. Forbes, who I hear is yet alive. 

Read y'^ lives of several remarkable persons, particularly 
in Biogr. y^ Life of Oliver Cromwell, & in Clark's Lives, the 
Life of Rev. Mr. Vine. Elias reads Earl of Chesterfield. 

13. A very cold day — we think the severest of any that 
has come. May God almighty support us thro' these Ex- 
tremities ! but especially y^ poor and destitute ! p. m. Mr. 
Elisha Forbes came and informed that his Father was dead ! 
that he expired last evening about 8 o'clock. He -was 69 
years old last October. It was conceived that his Distem- 
per was bilious : had his senses to y^ last, & was calmly 
resigned to y'^ Sovereign Will of God. The Funeral pro- 
posed to be tomorrow, and he, Elisha, will take effectual 
Care of my comfortable Transportation. 

14. Squire Baker and two or three hands with him, which 
soon increased to half a dozen, drew me on a sled to y^ House 
of Mourning. It was sharp cold, y'^ Wind piercing, y'^ sled 
goes over y^ Tops of Walls & Fences. Tho it was very dif- 
ficult to get there, yet there were many People — as it is said 
b}' y'" that were with him most he dyed happily; so he was 
buried honourably, & great Respect shown to his Remains. 
May God graciou.sly Support y*^ Widow, who solidly mourns 
y*^ Loss ; may y'^ Fatherless find Mercy with Him y' was their 
Father's God. Mr. Forbes has left, of Children, C^rand- 
children, and one Great grandchild about 60. His Brother, 
his vSister, his oldest vSon were not could none of y'" be noti- 
fied (S: therefore were absent. There were .so many Persons 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. I99 

with Snow vShoes y' there was a good Path and y'= Corps was 
carried on a Bier, on Men's Shoulders. I was drawn by a 
number of Rackettmen, in a very handsome Sleigh, with }-^ 
Widow, Mrs. Abigail Forbush, & his sister, Mrs. Daniel 
Bond. It was too tedious for me to stay at y^ Grave.' I 
came away before the Coffin was let down — by that time I 
got to Breck's Store, I was nigh overcome, by one means 
& another. The Mourners, Bearers &c. came to my House, 
to hear y*^ Will. Dr. Hawes read it. At request, I in y^ 
Evening wrote a Letter to Mr. Forbes of Gloucester. I wish 
ardently that I may truly profit by y^ Providence ! Elias fin- 
ishes y^ first \^ol. of Earl of Chesterfield's Letters. 
15. It holds an uncommon cold, difficult sea.son. 

1 Daniel Forbes lived on Jackstraw Hill, and he was buried in 
Memorial Cemetery, back of the Soldier's Monument. Eli Forbes, 
of Gloucester, was his brother. Mr. Parkman writes in the funeral 
sermon of January 16 : " We, of this church, have fresh reason to 
take notice of the Holy Providence of God in removing from among 
us one of the aged and useful members hereof, the late Mr. Daniel 
Forbes, who, besides his great regard for religion, and forwardness 
to promote the interest of true piety and godliness among us, was 
remarkable strenuous in the cause of liberty and for maintaining 
our just rights and privileges, civil and sacred. He was also much 

engaged and much employed in reconciling differences 

He had not been long sick of his last illness before he was persuaded 
that it would prove fatal to him, and accordingly he set himself to 
improve his short space and set his soul and his house in order, and 
with so much success, through the grace of God, that he had great 
serenity and comfort, even in the midst of grievous pains and dying 
agonies." 

His oldest son, Daniel, was living in Brookfield, where he was a 
wealthy farmer. Mistress Abigail was an unmarried daughter, at 
this time fortv-five vears old. 



200 DIARY OF REV. EHKNEZER PARKIMAX. 

i6. Preached A. m. on Zech : 6. 13. p. m. on Ps. 92. 12 
and mentioned y'^ Death of Mr. Daniel Forbes, with some 
short character of him. N. B. The Widow Forbes, Mr. 
John Forbes of Otter Creek and Master Hazzletine, dind 
here ; as did Breck and his family : also Mr. Winslow Brig- 
ham. May God graciously add his Blessing ! Breck &c. 
attended here in y'^ Evening. 

17. I am reading y*^ Life & Letters of Philip Dormer 
Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield. The Letters to his .son 
PhiHp Stanhope Esq. Deac. Wood here with a Spare Rib. 

18. As no Team of Oxen or Horses can pass, people are 
obliged to go to Mill with Hand. Sleds. Elias went today 
with a Bushel of Indian. — 

19. Mr. Timothy Parker, his Wife and Child came a 
while ago in a Sleigh from Templeton, to visit their Friends 
here, but are not able to go back, except himself, who 
returns on Racketts. His wife and her sisters Newton and 
Wheelock visit at Breck 's and I was desired to drink Tea 
with y"'. 

20. Elias goes again to Mill and Breck with him & carry 
of Rye Indian & Oats, Six Bushel. Mr. Eli Harrington of 
Alstad (?) makes me a long Visit. He dines here. Dis- 
course of Church Covenant & Church Government «&c. 

21. Mr. Solomon Batherick & his Brother came and 
killed my principal Hog, which weighed 190. I read in 
Capt Bell's and Mr. De Lange's Travels to Lspahan, Peking, 
Derbeni (?) & Constantinople and finished y'= second \'ol. 
of that work. 

22. Elias goes on Racketts to Mr. Ger.shom Brigham's. 
A new.spaper of Dec. 30 is y^ Last. 



DIARY OF RE\'. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 203 

23. Preached a. m. on -Zech: 6. 13. p. m. on Ps. 92. 13. 
14. 15. Ephraim Parker dind here. A considerable Con- 
gregation, tho very cold. 

24. An urgent message from Mr. Antipas Brigham to 
go to Capt. Edmund Brigham 's, with request to marry him 
I went, but with great Difficulty, by reason of y'' deep 
snow. My sons Breck and Elias drew me on a' light sled 
as far as Mr. Haskill's,^ nigh which a number of young 
men, Brighams accompanied me on foot to y^ House, where 
I performed y"^ Solemnity. After y'^ Supper they brot me 
to Mr. Gale's, who kindly obliged me to lodge there. Mr. 
G. Andrews there & invites me to dine tomorrow. 

24. Mr. Gale & his wife, also Capt. Edmund accom- 
panying me to Mr. Andrews, where I was kindly rec'd and 
entertained. Capt. Brigham & Mr. Gale went to Deac. 
.Woods, on an Arbitration. The Subject was a Diiference 
between Mr. Pierce «& Mr. Joseph Smith, both Black- 
smiths, where manj- are a.ssembled to hear W". Stearns of 
Worcester, Esq. advocate for Smith. 

N. B. Mr. Andrews waited upon me home. By y^ way 
visit old Lieut. Forbush. 

25. Elias leaves his Studys and helps those who are 
breaking the Roads with a yoke of Cattle. I read Ld 
Chesterfield's Letters. 

26. Squire Baker is so engaged in breaking Roads that 
he has got Elias & a yoke of my Cattle, on y*^ Road again 
Ephraim Parker being at work for me in dressing Flax for 

^ Mr. Haskell's is one of the few houses in town still occupied by 
the descendants of those living: there in Mr. Parknian's dav. 



204 DIARV OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

me — , brings in a quantity of it on a Pole & hangs it before 
y'' Fire to drie it. I had a good deal of Reluctance at it, 
remembering that Capt. Gouge's House at Hopkinton was, 
some years ago, burn't down by Flax taking Fire. 

27. As y^ Flax aforesaid hung before y*^ Fire, notwith- 
standing y*^ Distance it was placed at, a Coal was snapped 
out from the Fire, & began immediately to burn in it, 
which had it occurred last night, while we Slept, what 
would have been y'^ Event ! 

All hearty Thanks to our great Preserver ! 

Elias is gone again with y*^ Cattle today to break and 
shovel y*" Road. Mr. Andrews and Mr. Gale, generous to 
y"", have got to y'' crotch of y" Road, below Mr. W"\ Wood's. 
The northern Neighbors have tryed to plough their Road 
today. I read Lord Chesterfield's Letters. 

28. The latter part of this was y'^ most remarkable Cold 
Day that we have had (as every bod}- is free to allow) and 
Elias goes again with Squire Baker, and drives two pair of 
my Steers, to breaking y" Road down to Taplin's in South- 
boro ; The evening and night were .so extremely .severe that 
I was much concerned for him till he returned ; and did sur- 
vive though he had been in Danger of being overcome with 
Cold & Fatigue. N. B. Miss Mary Bradish came p. m 
and lodged here. 

29. The morning was y*" most severe and sharp — Elias 
thinks some of his Eimbs are froze, but (God be thanked) 
he is about with usual Currency. 

30. Preached a. m. on Zech : vi. 14. 15. p m. on Joh : 
18.18 wath .some Alterations and Additions. May God bless 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 205 

His Word to us ! At Eve, read Fleming's Confirming Work 
of Religion. 

31. Read in Fleming & Chesterfield's Letters. 

Mr. Nathan Maynard borrows several of Mr. Prince's 
Sermons. Hear that Sue Bimeleck^ was lately frozen to 
Death. This whole month has been Cold to admiration. 
We have scarce ever known its Equal. 

The Cold of this Day is to high Degree of F:xtremity. 

May God Almighty sustain and support us, protect and 
supply us, & extend Compassion to all y*^ Indigent, the aged 
and y^ Exposed ! 

February 1780. 

I am reading Lord Chesterfield's Letters. I highly prize 
some of them. They shew him to be a man of very exten- 
sive Learning & Sagacity. Read Mr. Isaac Foster's .ser- 
mon on Luke 2.14 delivered at New Salem June 9 last at y^ 
Ordination of Mr. Joel Foster.— p. m. 1 went to Mr. B. New- 
ton's — reckoned and paid all by a note to Constable John 
Harrington, was at Capt. Fisher's, at Mr. Graves & Nichols. 
Mrs. P. was at Deac. Wood's, where I drank Tea. We 
walked on y'' Top of y'^ Snow, which was many times as 
high as y" Top of y'^ Fence. 

2. It w^as too cold for me to go out. I go on with y^ 
Letters. Elias sits with me in y" Study & reads Vol. 11. of 
Stanhope. 

iSue Bimeleck was the daughter of Abimeleck David — a son of 
old David Muuuanaou, mentioned by Mr. Parknian in 1737. She, 
with her sisters, lived where her father had his wigwam, under the 
shadow of the old Chestnut Tree near Williams' Pond. 



2o6 DIARY OF REV. EBENHZER PARKMAN. 

3. I walked over to see old Mrs. Kelly and prayed witli 
her-dind there (at Mr. Beeton's^) called at Mr. Eb' May- 
nard's and at old Mr. Pratt's. At my return here was Lieut. 
Marble. Mrs. Lambson &c who drank Tea here. N. B. 
Breck to Boston— gave him 126 Dollars towards an Hatt for 
Klias. Sent by him a letter to Mr. Quincy to be left at Mr. 
Pattins for Conveyance. 

4. Not very well after my yesterday's Walk. The Calves 
of my Leggs were sore, & was indisposed in Body. 

5. My Indisposition increases. Hear that Mr. David 
Goodall and his Wife were come from Athol, & passed b}^ 
to Capt. Maynard's yesterday. He has been to Otter Creek, 
and relates that Enemies have come upon a Town there 
(Soby) and destroyed it. He is going to Marlboro', his 
Father being dyed lately. 

6. I was much indi.sposed still both last night and today. 
N. B. I was in my preaching a. m. I was very unable to 
see what I had written in my Notes, by reason of y'^ Lines 
appearing in Rinkles. I carryed no Spectacles— borrowed 
Deac. Wood's, but to no purpose. I was able to give some 



J Mr. Beeton was living in the old parsonage, on Lyman School 
Hill. He was a young Scotch blacksmith, who had walked over 
from Hopkinton with his wife bringing some bags filled with Eng- 
lish coin, thirty years before, when he had heard that I\Ir. Park- 
man's farm was for sale. The minister firmly refused to consider 
the matter — he wished to sell only to a man of quality, hut the 
young vScot was canny, and interested Stephen Maynard in his be- 
half, and Mr. Parkman was only too happy to sell to the wealthy 
captain, who in turn passed a deed to John Beeton. He proved a 
good citizen of the town, and Mr. Parkman cordially recognized his 
worth, and l)ecanie his good friend. 



DIARY OF REV. EBKXEZER PARKMAX. 207 

account of what I had prepared, tho not \'erbatim, after a 
while could see more distinctly, preached on Zech. vi. 15. 
Breck and his Family dind with ns. So did Mrs. Maynard 
and her son Brigham. 

Have heard y^' sorrowful news of y" Death of our Brother 
of y Association— the Rev. Thomas Goss of Bolton by a 
Fever. The Lord sanctifie this Providence to me, to the 
mournful Widow, the bereaved Children, to y-^ Association 
of which he was a Member, but especially the Church of 
which he was Pastor, and to y^ whole people of Bolton 1 
That now they may be directed into methods of Peace, and 
y^ new Church especially may be wholly settled. & edified, 
p. M. I preach on Ps : 55.22 former part (which I delivered 
in Oct 1773) now to y" end of page 8. which may God 
graciously succeed ! In y" evening Exercise, Breck read Flem- 
ing's Confirming Work. 

7. vSeveral young Women, viz. Lucy Maynard and Anna 
Fay, hired by Mrs. P. to spin, came here for this week, came 
duly. 

p. M. Mr. Jon" Forbes brot a Cheese &c & made me a 
Visit. At evening Ephraim Parker borrows the History of 
human Nature &c. Advises concerning y^ sowing my 
Island with Clover &c. 

8. Providence further frowns upon us in sending another 
snowstorm, which covers y^ Rackett Tracks & fills y*^ Roads 
again. Mr. Elisha Forbes dines here, & spends most of y" 
Afternoon— will endeavor to provide me some Quantity of 
Hay seed. I read Chesterfield's Letters 

9. Elias goes with Breck & others to break y-^ Roads to 
Southboro. Mr. Daniel Forbes from Brookfield, Mr. Isaac 



208 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Pratt of Hardwick. N. B. I am troubled that Elias 
should so readily leave his Books to join with them whose 
Gain and Interest prompted to clear y^ roads for their Teams 
to be going again, seeing that he could have no great 
Inducement, but Benevolence, public Spirit &c. which had 
been sufficiently served by five times before now, exposing 
himself in Cold and Dangers by Night and by Day in this 
work and all of it Gratis. This Sixth Time, when his own 
Time is so extremely precious in which he has so much to 
read and write before he can be fit to return to his College 
Exercises again. And yet this is not y*^ most trying, he 
is planning an luiseasonable journey to Cambridge to fetch 
a Table ^ from thence ; now at y'^ very Day when y'= Vacancy 
is fini.shed, and he should go to stay there, the rather be- 
cause he has been absent from y'^ Recitations .so long, that 
he ought to be one of y^ first that returns at this Term. 
He proposes also to go and return incog, presuming that y'^ 
A'acancy is prolonged by reason of y^ difficult stirring & 
enormous price of wood. 

ID. The plan for going to Cambridge is so ripened that 
I can't defeat it. The affair is chiefly Breck's, who loads a 
a sleigh with Grain &c. & loads up with Rum — has pro- 
vided two Horses as well as y'= Sleigh. And his Brother 
Josiah Brigham was to go down to Watertown therewith, 
but Elias is .so urgent to undertake it, and has already 
agreed to go with David Fay, who is going likewi.se. that 
this morning to my no small Di.squietment, sat out. Master 

'This I)eautiful old table is still in the possession of Mr. Park- 
man'sdescendants, being given now an honored place in Mr. Park- 
man Dennv's library, in Leicester. The slate was broken and has 



DIARY OF REV. KBENEZER PARKMAN. 



209 



Hazletine dind with lis. p. m. Elias returns, not being able 
to proceed on his Journey. 

1 1. 

12. P. M. Am called from my .study to visit old Mrs. 
Baker. ( Mr. Andrews takes me into a double Sleigh with 
his wife and wnth Capt. Jonas Brigham's Wife, who are 
going also to see their Mother). She was very dangerously 
ill of an Asthma. Discoursed and prayed with her. 

been replaced by wood— but the oddly carved frame is still strong 
and beautiful. No wonder Elias made up his mind that it was a 
great bargain, for which he was willing to put himself to no little 
trouble. 




EI,I.\S' TABLE. 



2IO DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

13. A. M. on Ps : 92. 15. p. i\i. used notes on Ps : 55.22 
from page 9 to bottom of page 13. After meeting at eve, 
Squire Baker sent his Sleigh for me. Mrs. P. and I went 
up to his Mother. Examined and prayed with her. We 
returned in y^ Sleigh safely. 

14. Elias rides in a Sleigh to Cambridge, p, m. Mr. 
Hazeltine makes me a visit and returns Edward's on Orig- 
inal Sin, the three pamphlets he borrowed. He now bor- 
rows Bp. Cambray on y^ Divine Existence. Breck invites us 
to Coffee at y*^ Shop & we complyed. Read Lord Chester- 
field. 

15. Walked to Mr. Nurse's on various small Affairs. 
The air is exceeding thick, p. m. it rains, the snow wastes. 

I finish Lord Chesterfield's first volume. Many admirable 
Excellencys in these Letters, and they evidence him a Man 
of great Understanding, extensive Reading and accurate 
Taste, & yet too extremely indulgent to his Son's Pleasures 
— throws him into dangers that it must be a Miracle if he 
escapes. And what affectionate wise, pious Parent could 
find in his Heart to take such pains to breed him to be a 
Man of this World, to y^ so shameful neglect and Inattention 
to another ! notwithstanding all y*^ Care of his Religion de- 
volved upon his Preceptor ; who he ought at least to have 
seconded. 

At eve a Storm of Wind and Rain which beat vehemently, 
yet unexpectedly Elias came home from Cambridge, brot 
Rum for Breck and a valuable, tho old fashioned chamber 
Table, with large .slate in y*-' Middle, for himselfe. He got 
thro y*" Storm with great Difficulty. 

16. A fine dav after such a violent vStorm. Tlie Snow is 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 211 

much sunk, but it is so pervaded by y*" Rain that y'^ Creatures 
slump very deep, and no Horse can pass y*^ Road. I begin 
to read lyord Chesterfield's 2^ Vol. I am called away to visit 
old Mrs. Baker. Two young men Enoch Greenwood & John 
Baker draw me on a Sled to y*" House. She is very low and 
in great Distress for want of Breath. She is able to. say but 
very little. I at her request prayed with her. The same 
young men brot me home. May God prepare me for my 
own Turn ! 

17. Mrs. Baker expired last eve a little after I left her. 
May God grant His Omnipotent Grace to Survivors ! 

Mr. Sam'l Harrington of New Braintree here. Mrs. P. 
and I dind at Breck's. Our lowest and best well has been, 
ever since y^ great Storm, froze up and filled with Snow that 
we have not been able to use it, till todaj^ when we got it 
open. 

18. Closely engaged in preparing a Discour.se on i Thes. 
4. 13. At eve Squire Baker here and desires me to attend y'= 
Funeral tomorrow. 

19. Squire sent a Sleigh for me to go to his Hou.se. Mrs. 
P. vSophy, Suse with her child, and little Suse of Concord 
rode with me, to y*^ House of Mourning. I prayed at y^ 
Solemnity. N. B. Breck, Elias, Josiah Brigham, the two 
Williams (Winchester and Spring ) there. Rev. Bowman and 
his Wife came after prayer. I did not go in to y^ Burying 
place. — I could not comfortably , especiall}' stand on y^ snow. 
I came home. Breck and his Family dind with us. P. M. 
Pursued my preparations. 

20. Rev. Mr. Bowman, who attended y"" Funeral ye.ster- 
day, came in the morning to my Assistance. In y*^ A.ssem- 



2 12 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

]A\, I prayed first, Mr. B. preached a. m. on Phil: 4.11. p. 
M. he both prayed and preached. His text was Matt: vii. 
24-27. At eve, he repeated y'^ latter sermon, but did not 
lodge here, he returned to his spouse at Squire Bakers. 

At dinner were poor Deacon Miles and Master Hazzle- 
tine. May God graciously awaken and quicken us ! 

21. Elias went with me in y*" Sleigh to visit aged Mr. 
James Maynard, who being weak and deca^nng, desired 
Prayers yesterday — found him better and conversible — was 
not asked to pray. I went in to Amasa's.^ N. B. Tho 
Amasa has kept House above twenty years, yet had never 
lift up his Hand for Minister's Sallery. At eve, came Wil- 
liam's brother Jonathan from Ashburnham, & brot him 
vShirts and Frock & Shooes and Stockings &c. he lodges 
here. Mr. Bowman and his Lady made us an evening Visit. 
X. B. His people make very little provision for him. 

22. Mr. Winchester went from us intending as far as 
Lancaster. N. B. Josiah Brigham is gone for Breck to 
Boston in y*-' Sleigh. But today it is very difficult passing 
by reason that y'^ snow is exceeding soft. It is foul weather 
p. M. The rain spoils travelling — . 

22. Yesterday and today Chesterfield's Letters. 

23. \'ery bad Travelling. Josiah Brigham with diffi- 
culty gets home. 

24. Mrs. Lamson (wife of Mr. Thomas) comes to work 
on Elias' s Cloths. Mr. Hez. Taylor of New Fane makes a 
visit and dines with us. Capt. Morse came in to see me. 

' Amasa Maynard lived in the house on the Northborough road, 
which has been enlarged into the Wayside Cottage, belonging to 
the Lyman School. He was much given to practical jokes. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 213 

25. Mr. Buckminster and his Brother Col. William call 
here. 

N. B. Mr. B. owns to me that he is >"= Author of y'= Let- 
ter which is advertised to be printed — he tells me also that 
in his Paraphase on Romans 10, 4. p. 13 by "another in his 
Neighborhood ' ' he means Mr. Mellen of Chauxit, in his 
large Book , on Justification. My Dauter in-law receives a 
young Cow which her Father Brigham gives her. She is 
put into my Barn to be kept. 

26. Mrs Lamson about 3 P. M. attempts to go home, but 
the rain prevailed so that she turned back & tarrys with 
us. 

27. A. M. Delivered y*^ remainder on Ps : 55. 22 

P. M. on I Thes : 4. 13-14 & prepared on y*^ Occasion of 
y*^ Death of Mrs Persis Baker. Mr. Hazeltine & Mrs. 
Lambson dind here. She went home after Meeting. N. 
B. My son Breck not well. A Letter from Alix, dated y'^ 
i8"\ he writes of y*^ Birth of a little Dauter on Nov. 16 last. 

28. Old Mr. Jonah Warren dyed about 10 a. m. 

I wrote by Mr. Levi Brigham of Fitz-William to my .son 
Alexander. I read part of Lord Chesterfield. My son 
Breck grows worse. At eve came Master Hazeltine and 
lodges here. Anna Fay begins to learn to write. 

29. I have spent some time in reading Ld Chesterfield 
and cant but take notice again that a Father with so much 
Learning and Sensibility has so little to say to a Son in whom 
his Soul is so bound up, about Religion and y^ Eternal Con- 
dition of his immortal part. As much pleasure of mind as 
I feel for my son Elias's Education & Settlement in y'^ World 
or Serviceableness in his Generation, vet I have (I think) 



214 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

quite other Solicitude about his most inestimable Interest, 
that of his Soul, and his Condition in another, an unchange- 
able State in another world. And O y^ God would grant 
him, & each of my dear Children His renewing and sanc- 
tifying Spirit ! Breck removes to lodge here, Suse and y*^ 
Children also. 

Miss Polly Howard makes us a visit & tarrys with us. 

We have now a pritty round Family, of ye whole. 

March 1780. 

Notwithstanding y*^ Rain and very difficult travelling, I 
went A. M. to y*^ Funeral of old Mr. Jonah Warren, who 
expired in y'^ Eighty year of his age — many people at- 
tended. I prayed — ventured to come home on foot. The 
Snow and Ice made it dangerous to ride. Breck is some- 
what better. At night he grew worse. My Family and 
his united are 14. 

The Harvard Vacancy is up today; but y"^ weather rough 
and Roads very bad. Elias cannot go to Cambridge. 

2 . Am engaged in my preparations for y '^ Sabbath . Breck 
is recovering D. G. 

3. Miss Polly Howard goes to Capt Maynard's. Breck 
goes to his Shop. 

4- 

5. On I Thes : 4.14, on occasion of y'^ Death of old Mr. 
Jonah Warrin. Cousin Maynard, Misses Brigham (as well 
as Breck and his Family) fill our Dining Board. 

p. M. repeated on 2 Tim : 3.7 to page 9 bottom. 

Cousin Maynard lodges here. N. B. Rec'd a Letter 
from Mr. Quincy by Mr. Thomas Whitney, dated Feb. 12. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 21 5 

6. Town Meeting. Mr. Eb'' Maynard and Dr. Hawes 
came to me with y^ Town's Request to go to y'^ Meeting 
House and pray with y"^'. I went, prayed and add a few 
words of address to y"\ but no word concerning my own 
Case. Mrs. Maynard and her son, (Master Samuel) dine 
with us and at eve a number of young Scholars, Hazletine, 
Sam'l Brigham. 

7. Mrs. Maynard and her son went home. . 

8. Breck Suse and y^ Child moved back to their Home. 
Read Lord Chesterfield, At night, Pearson on y'^ Subject 

I am preparing upon for y*" next Lord's Day. 

9. Mr. Thad. Warrin came and killed two Piggs for me, 
both of y'" weighed 226. p. m. at Mr. Stockwell's Desire 
I rode down to Mr. Tim. Warrin's. Elias went with me to 
drive y^ Sleigh. I marry ed Stephen Belknap to Eunice 
Warrin & supped there. Elias went for me again at even- 
ing, — and we returned safely, notwithstanding y^ badness of 
ye .^ay — y'= Horse breaking in to y*^ Snow banks, oftentimes 
and y'^ Sleigh tossing uncomfortably, being also in y^ Rain. 

N. B. A number of Westboro' combine to take again 
y'= Worcester News. 

10. I agree with Breck to pay half y^ Price of Thurs- 
day's Worcester paper. Anna Fay goes home, though the 
weather is bad. 

1 1 . The weather is still .so rough and y^ Roads so unfit 
for Travel, Elias remains at home, to my great Regret — but 
it cant be helped. I desire to resign y«^ whole matter to y" 
Divine Providence. 

1 2 . Preached again on i Thes : 4 . 14—" and rose again . ' ' 
p. M. went on with 2 Tim: 3. 7 to y^ end of page 16, which 
may a Divine Blessing accompany ! It was so great a 



2l6 DIARY OF REV. HBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Storm of Snow and Rain that there were but few at meet- 
ing — especially in y'^ afternoon. 

13. Adjournment of Town Meeting. N. B. A sad 
Conte.st between Mr. Benj. Fay & Col. Wheelock, about a 
Chestnut Tree, cut down by y*" latter in y*= Time of y'^ late 
Extremity for Wood. Anna Fay again. 

14. We are much reduced as to wood, but y'^ Weather 
is still too cold to be indifferent about it. No going to y'^ 
Ministerial lyOt. Elias goes to sundry places, and gets Hay 
seed to sow y'^ Fields at y'^ Island. 

15. Elias Sows Hay Seed upon y^ Snow. Col. Brigham's 
Dauters Mind well and Anna come up in y^ morning on y^ 
Snow and lodge here. Elias prepares to go to Cambridge 
tomorrow. 

I wrote to y"^ president — to Mr. Ouincy — to my son Wil- 
liam. 

16. Elias depended upon Mr. F^li.sha Parker to go to 
Boston and in returning to bring up our Horse : but by Par- 
ker not going, Elias is disappointed and does not go. 

I finished reading Ld Chesterfield's Letters, but y'^ Miscel. 
no farther than page 578. We have such another Winter 
by y'^ Storm of Snow, which came today as makes us think 
of y^ Value of Wood, and pity such as are destitute. 

17. Mr. Nathan Maynard jun"^ and Mr. Isaac Parker brot 
Wood. Two loads apiece. Elias p. m. got Hay Seed at Mr. 
Batherick's, several Baggs: which William .sowed at y*^ Island. 

iS. Mr. Mo.ses Nurse brings a load of Wood for Mr 
Maynard. N. B. The Measuring of Wood has been chiefly 
performed by Elias, and sometimes by Breck at y^ Shop. 
Mr. Amos Parker here. He relates what occurred last tues- 
day at North Shrewsbury by y'^ deliriousness of Mr. Ger- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



shorn Flagg, who did mischief at Mr. Fairbank's new erected 
House, but chief!}' at y*^ Meeting House. Mr Parker speaks 
also of y^ Drowning of several men attempting to pass over 
Merrimack River 

Preached on i Thes : 4.14 & p. m. on 2 Tim: 



19. 







^y0L. 







A PAGE OF A PARI 



2l8 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

'4.7 which may God bless N. B. I read today Zech. 7, 
p. M. I did not read, but we sung twice, began y*^ 119th 
Psalm. 

20. Elias is still disappointed of going to Cambridge, p. 
M. I rode to Squire Baker's. He gave me (as I understood 
him) y^ Tallow I wanted of him. I was too destitute of 
common money, & therefore went to y^ Treasurer Newton 
for Supply — but there was none for me : but he offered to 
lend me an hundred pounds of his own Money. I was at 
Deacon Wood's — am grieved at its being such a Seat of Lazy 
Typlers. N. B. I returned by Dr. Hawes, W. R. Cranch's 
Biog. Univ. 

21. N. B. I delivered to Elias Four Hundred Dollars 
of which one hundred and seventy-six from my own Desk 
and borrowed 224 Dollars of my Son Breck. Breck goes 
for Boston. Sent by him to Mr. Quincy and to my kins- 
woman, Mrs. Eliz. Bradford. Elias on Mr. Elisha Forbes' 
horse to Cambridge, and by him I sent to y^ President, and 
to my Son William at Concord. 

I borrowed 20^ of Money of Mr. Barney Newton, Treas- 
urer, which he must have again from y'^ Constable when he 
can gather it of y'^ People. 

22. Gave Mrs. P. — 33 Dollars to pay Miss Lucy 
Maynard. 

Mr. Stone came — dind — preached my Lecture, on Isa: 
53. 6, tarried over night. N. B. We read a Narrative of y'^ 
Journal^ and di.scoverys of two of General Gage's Officers, 

^This was probablj' the report of Capt. Brown and Ensign D'Ber- 
niere, who reconnoitred, in disguise, the roads between Worcester 
and Boston, and Boston and Concord, in the early part of 1775. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 219 

when reconnoitring y'^ Roads and as far as Worcester — pre- 
vious to Lexington Fight. 

23. Mr. Stone and I walked up to Squire Baker's to y"= 
stones and to see 4 great Oxen, of uncommon Bigness and 
Fatness. Mr. Stone returned home. Breck returned be- 
fore night — brot two letters from Mr. Forbes to me. One 
from Mrs. Rebecca Wetmore at London to Mr. W"\ Spring. 
One also from Mr. Thomas Barrett of Cambridge to Miss 
Lydia Champney, which relates y^ Death of her Brother, 
Mr. Samuel Champney, Feb'y 3^ last. 

Breck brot also a present of a Barcelona Handkerchief to 
his Mother from Samuel and another from y^ same to 
Sophy, and another from y*" same to Suse. I perceive y* he 
gave 50 Dollars apiece for y'" 

24. Breck unhappily brot back ye Letter I wrote to my 
son William, about Wood for Elias. I wrote another, but 
know of no conveyance. It is so rugged Weather that I 
am much afraid Elias will be put to Difficulty, and be obliged 
to buy at y'' excessive Cambridge price. 

25. Mr. Nathan Maynard jun"^ brot one load of Wood, 
which my son Breck measured, and says is 77 feet. But in- 
asmuch as (to deal rightly) several loads of late have been 
of exceeding crooked wood, & this today has such a quan- 
tity of small wood I told my son I would be glad to have 
more allowance made on those accounts. 

26. Preached again on i Thes. 4. 14. & read y'' verses 
following. I administered y*^ Lord's Supper. O y' it might 
be accepted thro y*^ Merits and Intercession of Jesus Christ. 
Old Mrs. Green dind with us. p. m. I went on with the 
.subject from 2 Tim : 3. 7. From page 23 to page 29. , which 



220 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

may God graciously own and bless ! In y^ eve read part of 
Mr. Henry on Due Return from y<^ Lord's Table. 

27. Dr. Crosby came in to see me. He is about selling 
part of his place in Shrewsbury, viz, His Buildings, and 
about 60 acres of his Land, to old Mr. Rider. W". Win- 
chester remains much unwell. I was obliged to get Josiah 
Brigham to tend my Cattle in y*^ Morning. 

Breck has received two Letters from Mr. Moore. 

28. Jo.siah Brigham goes to Boston. I write and send 
by him to Mr. Moore and also to Elias at College John 
Barrett of Hopkinton came to see me — dines here. His ar- 
dency is still to go to College. He is now desirous to go to 
that at Dartmouth. He borrows two pamphlets of Mr. 
Hutchinson's Sermons W"'. Winchester still complains of 
much Indisposition, yet has been to y'= Barn. 

29 W"\ grows worse, takes physic of Dr. vStim.son, who 
called to see us and dines here. p. m. Mrs. P — to Harring- 
ton's. Suse goes to her Fathers, Breck takes care of y^' 
Cattle for me. Kph. Parker was here at livening. I try 
to ha\e him live here, but I cant succeed. 

N. B. Mr. Nathan Maynard jun"^ & Lieut. Bond, bring 
-SO much Wood as compleats (as they, Maynard and Breck 
say) Maynard's Ten cord, so y' I gave a Receipt for it. 

30. Parker came to w^ork on our Flax, but found it not 
rotted sufficient, therefore breaks off and returns. Mr. 
Abr. Holland here and gives me a more perfect Account of 
Mr. (rershom P'lagg's Frenzy. We cant but remark how 
uncommon y^^ Cold has been and continued. 

31. I)r vStimson came from Sutton and returns to Hop- 
kinton — dines here : he gives W"\ Winchester a \'omit. 



DIARY OF RP:V. EBENEZER PAKKMAN. 22 1 

which works well, but he remains sick and exercised with 
Pain, in both Head and Stomach — The months flie apace 1 
may I have a due sense of my own hastening hence ! 

April. 

2. Preached on 2 Thes: 4. 15-16. Mrs Beeton dind 
with us. p. M. on 2 Tim: 3. 7, & finished y^ Discourse 
except y-' Additions. O y' I might be duly affected myself 
with what was delivered ! — At eve Breck and his attended 
}"= Repetition &c. 

3. Went to Mr. Nurse's and Mr. Thad. Warrin's, — to 
bespeak Spring and Summer Work, but y*^ Earth is as yet 
partly covered with snow, and where it is open, is froze. 

p. M. Col. Brigham here upon an important errand in 
behalf of his Son Elijah, with regard to Sophy, — which I 
gave my Consent to. 

4. Preached at Deac. Woods on Eccl. 12. 13. There was 
a considerable Assembly. Mr. Knight and Mr. ODonald of 
Boston were there, & I had an Opportunity of conversing 
with both after Meeting. Col. Baldwin and his son Isaac, 
also my grandson, Thomas P. A Letter by them from my 
dear Ebenezer, dated Morris Town State of New York, 
March 10. 1780, when he was well, tho he had endured 
Hardships, and .suffered by cold, lying on y*^ Ground. They 
lodge here and have three Hor.ses. 

5. Col. &c leave us to go to Cambridge. My son Breck 
undertakes a long, circular, difficult Journey, to Bridgewater, 
Boston &c. Very much perplexed with a flock of Sheep 
belonging to Dr. Hawes, daily feeding on y'= Rye at y^ 
Island. Stephen Maynard who has y'^ Care of y^ Dr's Affairs 



222 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

here in y'^ Evening to tell me y' he could not take Care of y'^ 
Dr's Sheep, being in preparation to go to Market. 

6. Disappointed of Help to repair my Island Fence., and 
therefore those Sheep are in again upon my Rye. Young 
Winchester is poorly — pain in his Hip is his principal Com- 
plaint, — but ofttimes in his Head. 

7. Mr. Thad. Warrin works for me, mending my Island 
Fence, and Fences before y^ Meeting House. A Letter from 
my .son Alexander. Miss Betsey Taylor of Grafton here — 
tells me Mr. Grosvenor goes sometimes to hear Mr. Hen- 
stick, y'^ Baptist Minister: and y' many others do .since Mr. 
G. cannot preach. At eve Capt. Wood and Mr. Jon" Fay 
here. 

8. Fresh Troubles with y^ Docf Cattle & Sheep on j"^ 
Rye, notwithstanding all y" pains used j^esterday to make 
ye Pence Secure and strong. 4 times today. 

Mr. Thomas Stone here, wants y'^ Association Records 
for his Father, which I gave him, and a number of Papers 
belonging to y*^ Association. 

9. At night sent for to vi.sit Lt. Bond's Child — went and 
prayed there. It was very rainy, a. m. preached again 
on I Thes. 4. 16-17. 

p. M. on 2. Cor: 4. 1-3. O y' we might grow wiser and 
better by all y'"''^ means. 

10. Deac. Wood came to acquaint me y' there was at his 
House an Indian in Gentleman's Habit, who was a Scholar 
and Preacher from Dartmouth Coll. I sent for him — he 
came — his name was Daniel Simon. The Brigham Scholars 
were well acquainted with him. His Credentials were (be- 
sides his Diploma and his name in y Catalogue) his recom- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 223 

mendation by y'^ President, Trustees and Tutors, License 
for preaching by Rev. Grafton— Presbytery— a Letter from 
president Wheelock to Rev. Mr. John Sargent of Stock- 
bridge, and a Certificat from y'^ Selectmen of Stockbridge. 
I also examined him myself. 

The Deacon urged he might preach in y'^ afternoon and 
he would take care to notifie ye people. Mr. Simon was 
not forward, but would not deny. I could not refuse. He 
dind here. At 3 p. m. a Congregation was gathered. He 
preached on i Pet: 2. 7 "To them who believe, he is pre- 
cious." It was a serious and Methodical Discourse, & 
delivered decently. I hope it was useful and profitable. 

A number of Scholars, who were acquainted with Mr. 
Simons, came in at eve to see him and he lodged here. 

N. B. The people made a Collection and presented him 
y^ Sum of one hundred and twenty-four Dollars 

One Ebenezer Crosby came here to let himself and lodged 
here. N. B. Dr. Hall going to Boston calls here. 

11. The Indian Preacher leaves us to go on his Journey 
to Stockbridge. Mr. Crosby insists for Cloths to pay for 
His Labour; which I not being able to engage him, he 
leaves me. I catechized at y^ Meeting House. Boys 32. 
Girls 17. Dr. Hawes has brot me Another Vol. of y*= 
Biographical Dictionary from Mr. Cranch. Vol. 4 Letters 
D and E. 

12. Read Col. Ethan Allen's Narrative of his Captivity 
& Several Lives in Biography aforesaid, viz. M""\ and 
M'"'^ Daciers, John Daille, author of de User Patrum, John 
Dee, mathematician. Conjurer &c. De Foe, Demosthenes, 
Thomas Dempster, noted for his remembering whatever he 
read, and yet commonly read 14 hours in 24. 



224 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

13. Mr. John" Maynard brings — Turns of Wood in 

all . Dr. Hall from Boston. N. B. Gen' Hancock 

exceeding Generous to him. Col. Baldwin & Thome Park- 
man, Mr. Eliot, Tutor and Mr. Zechary Hicks here. The.se 

5 last dind here. 

Col. Baldwin brot two letters from Elias, one of March 
30th y^ other April. Am informed y' Mr. Samuel Williams 
of Bradford is chose professor instead of y*^ late Dr. Win- 
throp — that Rev. Mr. Harrington of Lancaster was married 
y"^ night before last, to Mrs. Bridge of Framingham. 

14. My kinsman (Elias Parkman of Boston) sent me a 
Copy of y'' Addre.'is of the Convention and Plan of Govern- 
ment, p. M. walked (on .some special occasions) to Dr. 
Hawes. Having no man yet and 3'oung Winchester lame 

6 infirm, my business is behind. Breck works in y'' Gar- 
den — plows and hires Mr. Kenney part of the Day to renew 
and mend up y'^ Garden Fence. B. sows Peas there. 

15. Breck and W"\ Winchester at times in y*^ Garden. 
I cannot afford any time to it, nor have I any Inclination. 
Josiah Brigham returns from an Excursion to purchase Cat- 
tle : he has been as far as to Fitz William and has brought 
two Cows, one has a Calf, t'other with Calf. They are put 
into my Barn to keep. Breck has now- four Creatures there, 
his Hor.se and 3 cows besides y'= young Calf. 

16. A. M. on I Thes : 4, 17-1.S. p. m. on 2. Cor: 4. 3-4 
read A. M. Zech 9. Mr. Brigham dind here, as did Cousin 
Maynard. At eve Breck and his Family (as they have done 
frequently ) came to ye Repetition. 

17. A very snowy Morning (Apr. 6. old style anno 1732 
was a time of exceeding deep snow ). I sent a Letter to Dr. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 225 

Hawes who would go to Boston, for Elias, at College. Was 
at Mr. Newton's about driving 5'oung Cattle to pasture at 
Coi's Hill. 

iS. Rode to Minister's Meeting at Stow. Met Mr. 
Stone at Mrs. Speakman's. Borrowed of her Pope's Essa}- 
on Man, with Warburton's Notes. We called at Mr. Jon" 
Loring's, and delivered him Beard's Theatre of God's Judg- 
ments which I had borrowed of him. At Mr. Newell' s 
were Messrs. Stone, Smith, Bridge, Whitney and Biglow, 
and occasionally Messrs. Adams of Acton, Stearns and Al- 
len, preachers. Mr. Mellen of Chauxit. Some debate 
about a Concio, whether if there be not a Concio prepared 
on purpose, we mayn't have a Sermon for our Christian Ed- 
ification. Mr. Bridge opposes it. I asked advice about y*^ 
case of Mr. Daniel Adams & his wife. Answer was to 
prevent its being heard in y" Church till it is heard in y*^ 
Civil Law, if y Woman's Complaint must be supported by 
her Oath. 

Mr. Allen prayed at y'^ Conclusion of our Meeting. 

Next Meeting by divine leave to be at my Hou.se. Old 
Mrs. Gardner (at whose House we were) was not able to 
sit at Table when we dind Mr. Stone and I rode together 
to Marlboro'. I visited our Kinsman, Lt. Uriah Brigham,^ 
where I lodged. 

19. A Storm of Rain and Snow — but I ventured to try 
for Home. Sat out in y*^ Morning under another Disad- 

1 Uriah Brigham, in 1750, had married Sarah Gott, a niece of Mrs. 
Parkman's, and sister of Mrs. Stephen Maynard. " He lived in the 
south part of Marlborough," says the Marlborough Historian, " in 
the style of the English gentry, receiving the visits of the elite far 



226 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

vantage, viz., the Horse lame^got to Capt. Edmund Brig- 
ham's and dind there. Arrived safe at home about 3 p. m. 
All Glory to God, my Guardian at home and abroad ! Am 
informed that Dr's Sheep have still been troublesome. 

20. Mr. Nathan Kenney here & agrees (if I dont hire 
a man) to take my North Field to plant to y'' halves; and 
likewise to take another piece of Ground for Flax, in y'^ like 
manner. 

I read y Conventions Address to their Constituents, with 
Declaration of Rights & Form of Government. 

21. Was forced to go to Dr. Hawes on y'^ Account of his 
Sheep, which were again yesterday upon my Field of Rye, 
and was at Neighbor Caleb Harrington's, his Hogs having 
done Mi-schief several times in my Garden, and mentioned 
to him my putting out my Chauncey Meadows to y'= halves, 
much interrupted and tossed in spirit by having no man to 
work for me, when so many different affairs to mind, in 
looking after my Husbandry at this Season, and Creatures 
to guard from transgressing. 

22. Mr. Eleazar Rider, who saws at y" Whipple saw- 
mill having given me Slabbs &c, Stephen Maynard in Dr. 
Hawes' Service, goes with my Cart and Steers, & puts in y"^ 
Dr's Steers, to y" Saw- Mill, & brings a Load. 

23. I have for a great while thought of repeating my 
Sermons on Mat : 3. 10. which were preached above 30 years 
since. I undertook it today, though with alterations and 

aud near ; he kept an open house, and showed a hospitality witliout 
measure or stint." He left quite an estate, but so involved that it 
took his administrators thirty years to di.sentangle it. It is said he 
never did a day's work in his life. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZKK PARKMAN. 227 

additions. N. B. Have read y*^ Ch. publickly. At eve 
read a sermon of Mr. Flavell's England's Duty; on Rev: 
3. 20. 

24. Mr. Hez. Maynard of Marlboro' here ; as was Mr. 
Simon How, afterwards came Mr. Joseph Mottey, a preacher 
at Marlboro, with Mr. Elijah Brigham. They dind here. Mrs. 
P. walked to see her Cousen Maynard and tarried there. N. 
B. James Hopkins of Mansfield came to let himself, and he 
lodged here. I have made him y^ be.st Offer I could. 

25. Hopkins goes to work — uses my Steers and Deac. 
Wood's Oxen & Harrow & Ben Wood helps, in harrowing 
& getting out muck. Mrs. P — returns at evening. I am 
preparing on Zech 7. 5-7. 

26. General Fast thro'out y*^ States. Preached on y^ 
Text above. 

In going to Meeting p. m. was informed y' Mr. Whitney's 
House of Northboro was burnt down this very noon. I 
preached on Ps 107. 43 & took occasion frequently to apply 
it to y*^ present Occurrence, .so surprising and affecting ! May 
y'^ Lord sanctifie it to y'^ Sufferers & to us all ! — The Brethren 
by desire was stayed to confer about y'= Adams Difficulty. I 
manifested ni}^ Desire to keep it out of y"^ Church, but they 
saw cause to appoint a number to go to her. See Church 
Records. 

27. In y^ Morning, I rode over to see y'' Ruins, & sym- 
pathize with those who are bereaved. I found y'= sad 
Cause to be, Mrs. Whitney made a Fire in her Oven, that 
morning, .sat in her Food to be baked for Supper ; but y*^ 
Fire, while y^ People were at Meeting in y'^ forenoon, 
kindled in y'' Kitchen Chamber, & was discovered by Mr. 



228 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Sam' Allen in y"-' time of y'^ last prayer. Many goods in y<^ 
lower rooms, y*= Church plate &c were saved, but the 
Library and Papers, which were of great worth : 4 feather 
Beds, all their Cloths and Linnen, except what the}' had 
on. Corn, Cyder, Sauce, &c. &c. burnt. Mr. Sumner came 
also and carrj-ed various Things. I went in to see Mr. Jonas 
Badcock, whose Hair, Face and Hands were much Scorched, 
Swelled and blistered by y*^ Flames. I dind at Mrs. Briggs's 
where Mr. Whitney and his Family had repaired to. Mr. 
Sumner and Mr. Allen, preacher at Bolton, dind there also. 
The people meet this afternoon to see what they can do 
toward assisting. N. B. A great deal has been brot in 
alread}'. I rode to Mr. Seth Rice's for Flax seed. I there 
informed Mrs. Adams, of y'^ Church's Appointment yester- 
day relative to her. I was at Capt. Maynard's — visit old 
Mrs. Kelly, drank Tea there. When I came home am 
informed of y*^ Conduct and Language of Hopkins. 

28. Hopkins desires to go off, and tho it throws me into 
much perplexity I consent and he goes awaj^, giving in his 
work and offers to pay the Damage of Disappointment. I 
went over to Mr. N. Kenney and got him (again) to take 
my North Field to ye Halves ; which he agrees to. 

29. Kenny and his Son came to get out muck, and has 
my Steers and Cart. Mr. Moses Nurse joins with his 
Horses and waggon. I was obliged to go up to Deac. 
Wood's and Squire Baker's to forward a Contribution, but 
neither of y'" at home. Deacon came p. m. My son W". Ly- 
dia & W"\ from Concord came to tarry over y'^ Sabbath here. 

30. On consideration of y^ burning of Mr. Whitney's 
House, I preached (with alterations repeated) on Lam: 3. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 229 

22-23. both A. & P. M. Baptized Capt. Godfry's Twins, 
Sullivan and Salmon. Appointed y^^ Communion, but no 
Lecture Appointed contribution for Rev. Mr. Whitney 
next Sabbath. At noon conferred with vSelectmen as well 
as Deacons about y" Contribution. At eve in y'^ Family 
read Mr. Flavel's Sermon on Gal : 5. 24. See his works p. 
254. Vol. I. 

May 1780. 

The Town met to read y Address of y'' Convention, with 
the Draught they had made of a Form of Government for 
this State. I understood that they read it over, and after 
some debating upon it, they adjourned to this daj' three 
weeks. May God y^ Fountain of Wisdom, grant them 
Knowledge and understanding. Wrote a long letter to my 
son Ebenezer at Morris Town, New Jersey to be read}- for 
Col. Baldwin to carry. Billy and Lydia here yet. 

2. Wrote to Mr. Quincy to y^ care of Breck, who goes 
to Boston Sophy to Mr. Whitney's and to y'' Fulling MilP 
at Northboro ! I went to Mr. Thad. Warrin's, his wife sick. 
I was lamed by a slab falling on my right Foot. A very 
cold damp season. Too cold for Billy and Lydia to go 

1 " About half a mile from the meeting house on the post-road, 
and on the river Assabet, there is a mill for the fulling of cloth, and 
works for carrying on the clothiers business in all its branches, 
where about 7000 yards of cloth are annually dressed and the work 
is most acceptably performed to the honour and advantage of the 
town, and the interest of the community. These works are the 
property of two brothers, Captains Samuel and Abraham Wood : 
but the business is performed at present by the latter only." 

— Peter Whitnev in his History of Worcester Co. 



230 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

home. W". Winchester out of Health .still : Stomach ache, 
Lame in his Hips, & can do very little. 

3. Sheep more than ordinarily Troublesome., My af- 
fairs are much perplexed. W". Parkman and his Sister 
Lydia leave us to go to Concord. Mr. Jo.seph Harrington 
has been here, and tells that Providence had prevented the 
Committee of y^ Church that were appointed to go to Mrs. 
Adams, so y* y^ went not, for Deac. Bond was too infirm to 
go, Mr. Davis was very ill, and confined by a Fever, or 
pleurisie — Mr. Harrington went, to little purpose. 

4. While much embarrassed and prittj' lame, Stephen 
Batherick came within Reach, and was very much at I,eis- 
ure. I hired him for 15/ per Day to be paid according to y"-' 
old wa}', and he came and worked y*^ afternoon. 

Breck returns from Boston, brings a Letter from Elias at 
Cambridge, concerning y'^ Installment of Mr. Sam'l Williams 
heretofore of Bradford, Professor of Mathematics & experi- 
mental Philosophy — a marvellous time. 

At eve came Lieut. Jon" Grout, Messrs. Eli Whitney & 
Jon" Forbes, and are concerned about Brother Adams's com- 
ing to Communion. I advised y"' to go and make him a 
visit, and after that let me know. 

5. Old Mr. Hardy came in Warmth (S: inveighed against 
y'^ Contribution for Mr. Whitney, because he has not asked 
any to be made for him. He is a very rich man, said he, 
& might take it as an Affront to him, except he desired it. 
I endeavored to inform him better, & chid him for his Rash- 
ness. Mrs. P— visits Mr. Davis and Mr. Thad. Warrin's 
Wife— both sick. 

6. Mr. James Dix came — but I refu.sed to meddle at all 
with his Ouarrells. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 23 1 

7. None of those Brethren about Adams's Matter, make 
me any Return, preached on Ps: 133. 12-3. Administered y'' 
Lord's Supper. Mr. Adams did not stay to commune or 
disturb us. Mrs. Maynard dind with us. p. m. repeated 
sermon on 2 Cor : 8,7. expecting a Contribution, but Messrs. 
Belknap and Gale inform me, it is very much desired by con- 
siderable numbers y' y'= Contribution might be deferred to 
another Sabbath ; for as much as y'^ Town when together 
last Monday were so engaged in y^ weighty affairs then 
depending unhappil}^ forgot to mention it, and therefore 
were not so prepared as might be wished, and may be hoped 
for, if they might have further time. It was therefore de- 
ferred till next Lord's Day — but advised y' the Sermon 
which had been delivered might be improved as an Excite- 
ment and Preparatory thereto. N. B. As to Mr. Adams, 
I understand that he went away from y'^ Communion because 
he was himself offended. Also Capt. John Wood's Wife for 
some Reasons withdrew. 

At evening worship read y*^ 2^ of Mr. Flavell's Sermons 
on Rev: 3. 20. 

8. William Winchester left us to go to A.shburnham. I 
wrote by him to his Mother. I gave him 10 Dollars, Mr. 
Barnard's Sermons to young people and on y*^ Earthquake, 
and furnished him with various Things to accomodate him 
for his Journey. May God grant him Health and Grace ! 
I have now neither Man ijor Boy — but Billy Spring to tend 
Cattle and Sheep. Dr. Hawes, y*^ Court ^ being Dissolved, 
is returned ; visits and dines with me. 



1 Dr. Hawes was representative in the General Court for the years 
1778-80. 



232 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

9. Wrote to Mr. Moore. The Referee.s upon y*" Case of 
Capt. John Wood, versus Benj. Fay, & his Mother-in-law, 
set here at y*^ Meeting House. They are Judge Dorr,^ Tim. 
Pain'- & Joseph Wheeler, Esq.'^ The Lawyers are, for 
Wood, W'". Stearns, Esq.,"* & Dan'l Biglow,^ for the Fays, 
Mr. Sprague.'' The latter came to see me. I attended part 
of y^ p. M. A most unhappy Strife ! May God pity y'". 

10. Attended y'^ Court, part of y'^ Day. Mr. Andrews 
delivers me a Letter from Mr. Whitney, concerning our Con- 
tribution for him, manifesting his Satisfaction in our defer- 

^ Judge Dorr was Joseph Dorr, of Ward (now Auburn), appoiuted 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1776. 

-Timothy Paine held a number of important offices in Worcester. 
He was the father of Dr. William Paine, and of Nathaniel Paine — 
the Judge of Probate for Worcester County for thirty-five years. 

•'Judge Wheeler, also, was a Worcester man. He was at this time 
the Register of Probate, being at the time he came to Worcester, a 
retired clergyman. His house, known as the old "Wheeler Man- 
sion," stood on Main Street, near Lincoln Square, until a few years 
ago. 

'' William Stevens, was a prominent lawyer in Worcester, from 
1776, — when first admitted to the bar,^until his early death, in 1784. 
" He possessed good sense, respectable bearing, lively wit and much 
kindness of feeling." He was associated for one year with Daniel 
Bigelow (afterwards County Attorney), in the publication of the 
Massachusetts Sp)'. 

•'Daniel Bigelow was a young man, having been born in Worces- 
ter, in 1752 — the third of the name. He was a nephew of Col. Tim- 
othy Bigelow, of Revolutionary fame, and was himself a distin- 
guished lawyer, senator, counsellor, etc. 

" Mr. Sprague was probably John Sprague, of Lancaster, first Dis- 
trict Attorney of Worcester County, being appointed to that posi- 
tion in 1780. He was succeeded by Daniel Bigelow. 



DIARY OF REV. E;BENEZER PAR K:\IAX. 233 

ring it, and how gratefully he will accept of what soever 
shall be afforded. Mr. Joseph Hardy was here, & was 
examined in order to his joining with y*^ Church. Mr. 
Joseph Smith and his Wife made us a visit. Mr. Smith 
manifested his Desire of y^ Ordinance of Baptism for their 
Child ; but I was in much Suspense about proceeding with 
him. 

IT. The Pleading finished last night about lo o'clock. 
The Judges are together a. m. & draw up their Determina- 
tion, p. M. Judge Dorr here. N. B. Send my lyetter 
to Mr. Moore by Master Crosby, going to Boston, to be left 
at Gill's Office for conveyance. Pamela Cooledge of Ash- 
burnham came to live here. Mrs. Hardy, wife of Mr. Jo- 
seph. 

12. It is but a Melancholly Time with me. Nothing at 
all doing in my Husbandry, having neither Man nor Boy to 
assist me. The weather is indeed cold, & y*^ season back- 
ward. 

Mr. Thomas Adams of Medfield came to see me and lodges 
here. 

13. Mr. Adams wants my Volume of Chubb's Tracts in 
4to. 

He gives me Dr. Brown Languith's Modern Theory and 
Practice of Physick ; Dr. Goodman's Penitent Pardon. 
Judge Hale's Contemplations, part 3. with his Life, and 
Mr. Durham on Scandal. Besides Chubb, he has Dennis's 
Advancement & Reformation of Modern Poetry, and leaves 
me two Pamphlets, viz : Dr. Cardogan on y'' Gout &c. and 
Mr. S. Web.ster's two Discourses on Infant Baptism. He 
promi.ses Dr. Owen on Sp' Mindedness : for which he takes 



234 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

with him Dr. Bray's Bibliotheca Parochialis. Further I 
lent him Cornelius Agrippa of y*^ Vanity of y^ Sciences. To 
be sent to my son Sam' Boston. Mrs. Harrington here p. 
M. Makes Return of their Visit to Mrs. Adams. & gives 
me a Paper signed by her, & y^ Committee. 

14. Although I have attempted something in prepara- 
tion for today's Exercises, yet had so many interruptions 
and avocations, that I was obliged to laj- it by, & preached 
on Mat : 5. 7. a. & p. m. N. B. After y^ forenoon Exer- 
cise, I read some parts of Mr. Whitney's Letter to me on y^ 
8"' to y'^ Congregation. Appointed a Church Meeting to be 

p. M. A Contribution for Rev. Peter Wliitney. At eve 
read Flavel on Rev. 3. 20. Serm. III. 

15. Deac. Wood here to count y'^ Contribution made 
yesterday. It was in Notes 262/,", in Money (including 5 
Pistareens, 175 In all to Mr. Whitney 438^. There was 
also a number of Dollars which were included in a paper 
directed to y^ Selectmen, for the Benefit of y" poor Cripple 
John Forbes. 

16. I rode to Mr. Fessenden to try to put out my Sheep, 
but in Vain. I dind there, p. m. rode over to Mr. Whit- 
ney's and conveyed y^ Contribution which we made for him 
in Mone}' and Notes, & took his Receipt. I delivered him 
Six Books as v^y own Contribution viz. Calvin's Harmony, 
Morning Exercise, Pierce's Sinner inplead, Claggetl's Abuse 
of Grace, Butler's Sermons, Bradbury and Pike on Trinity, 
went to Mr. Wood's y*^ Clothier, returned at eve. Stephen 
Batherick works here. 

17. I keep Stephen in planting in y'-' Beeton Field, p. m. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 235 

went to Mr. Levi Warrin's, obtained easily of him to bear 
my Message to Mr. Daniel Adams concerning y^ Church 
Meeting to be next tiiesday come Sennight at y" Meeting 
House 2 P. M. oc. 

18.. Stephen still works for me in planting various 
Things, and Mending the fences &c. went with him to y'^ 
Island, to shew him what was most necessary — but at night 
goes home. p. m. Elias came up from Cambridge, with Josiah 
Brigham. The last brings a Letter from my son Samuel 
concerning W". Parkman of Boston (son of Nat.) his pro- 
posal to buy out y^ several Heirs to y'' Mansion House &c. 
Cousen Maynard made us a Visit, and drank Tea here. 
My Friend, Col. Joseph Buckminster^ of Framingham was 
buryed. 

19. A very Cloudy Day.'^ It rained some part of y^ Morn- 
ing, when it held up it not only remained very cloudy, but 

1 Col. Joseph Buckminster was made colonel in 1739, and served 
in the French and Indian Wars, and in the Revolution. He was 
selectman for twenty-eight years, town clerk for thirty-two, and 
representative for nineteen. He lived west of the old cemetery in 
Framingham. He was the father of Rev. Joseph Buckminster, of 
Rutland. 

^The famous " Dark Day " of History. 

Mr. Parkman and the people of the town seemed to take it as 
calmly as Col. Davenport, of Conn., whose common sense and cour- 
age have been sung in verse and story. I think this is the only in- 
stance in these years of the Journal where Mr. Parkman speaks of 
enjoying, especially, any article of food. 

A different scene was being enacted in the neigboring town of 
Sutton, as we learn from the Journal of the Rev. Dr. Hall. He 
writes: — "Ye Day was so dark as yt we needed candles at noon 
day. People came flocking to the meeting-house, and desiring my 



236 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

from about 10 a. m. it grew very dark — the Obscurity in- 
creased by about 1 1 it was too dark to read unless at y« 
Window — by 12, I could not read anywhere in y*^ House — 
We were forced to dine by Candle Light. It was very awfull 
and surprising. Thro divine Goodness y^ Light gradually 
returned & I wrote this before two. — Before Night, I find y* 
the unusual Darkness has given general Surprise. At eve 
went to Supper at Breck's, on agreeable Haddock. The 
Night was exceeding dark, insomuch y' the Committee 
which sat at Deac. Woods, on y'' Affair of y'^ Form of Gov- 
ernment could not without Difficulty find their way home. 
Several of y'" did not get home at all. 

20. I am concerned for my Neighbor Thad.Warrin, who 
is so behindhand in his Business. I have offered him my 
Cattle and plow — and I have said so much to him to per- 
suade him that he uses y'" today. 

21. On account of y*^ late unusual JVicnoyncnon, I read 
A. M. Amos 5. and preach on x. 4.5.6.7.8. Messrs. Brigham 
and Hazletine dind here. p. m. I went on in Repeating 
Sermon on Mat. 3.10 from page 9 with some Omissions, at 
Eve read latter part of Mr. Flavells Third Sermon on Rev. 
3. 20, which may God graciously bless to us ! 

22. Mr. Jo.seph Hardy here with his Relation, which 
requires many alterations. Esq. Baker, Mr. Batherick and 
Mr. Joseph Harrington came to me from y'^ Town Meeting, 
to desire me to go with y'". to pray with y'" & give y'" my 

Presence. I went and prayed with tbeni, and preached a sermon 
to yi" Extempore from Joel 2., r. & part of ye 2d- 4 & ye people 
were very attentive. The I<ord Sanctifie his Hand and awaken us 
up to our duty ! " 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 237 

Advice, they being assembled upon y" very important Affair 
of y^ Plan of Government, — went and prayed & joined with 
y"" in voting. Voted y*" Bill of Rights ; — Voted y*^ Introduc- 
tion of y'= first part on Government — voted Article 1. then 
adjourned — Elias studys Anatoni}-. 

23. Mr. Elijah Brigham in Squire Baker's Chaise, waits 
on Mrs. Parkman to Boston. I wrote to my son Sam' my 
Consent to my Kinsman W". Parkman' s having, for rea- 
sonable price, my Right in that which was m>- late Honored 
Mother's House. 

24. I met with y'^ Town on y"^ Adjournment. N. B. 
Strenuously insist that the Gov' shall not only declare him- 
self of the Christian Religion, but a Protestant. It was 
obtained to have y*^ Word Protestant inserted ; ye Vote had 
two against it. , Capt. Fisher and Mr. Hananiah Parker. 

25. Mr. Joseph Hardy's Wife here, & have so many 
Corrections to make, that it was necessary to transcribe it. 
This I did for her. Elias is reading Chesselden's Anatomy. 
Mr. Elijah Brigham returns from Boston & Says Mrs. P — 
had a good Journey. N. B. I found that my son Breck is 
^ FREE MASON} 

26. I discover also that my son Sam is — that Capt. Elias 
and y^ Coll. Baldwin are. 

N. B. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences ioviweH, 
constituted And Made a Body politic & Corporate b}' an act 
of the General Assembly of this State, at y^''' present Ses- 

^ Breck Parkman was one of the members of Trinity Lodge, of 
Lancaster — the first lodge west of Boston. This was founded in 
1778. In the early part of the present century he became a charter 
member of the Northborough Lodge of Free Masons. 



238 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



sions. The Names of y'^ Members are published in todays 
Spy. It is matter of Joy to me ! But it was also of Sur- 
prise, as I cant trace its Conception nor Author, nor Fan- 
tors ; (?) the char'■^ Qualifications, Duty, Immunitys, & 
Emoluments. 
27. 

28. Read a. m. Zech. x. with some Exposition of it. 
Preached on Amos 8. 9, p. m. on Mat. 3.10. read in y'= Even- 
ing part of Mr. Flavell's 3"^ & 4"' Sermon on Rev. 3. 20. 

29. Rec'd a Letter from Rev. Whitney to request me to 
dine with him & to attend the Raising a New House ' for 

' This new house still stands under the large elms. 




PETKK WHITNEY S NKW HOUSE. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 239 

him. In riding over there met with Mr. McCarty — he was 
going to Boston. But turned about and went with me to 
Northborough. Mr. Stone came also. We dind at Mrs. 
Briggs, & there Supped. Mr. Maccarty went to Boston. 
Mr. Stone and I went to the Raising. I prayed and gave 
y^ Psalm (ps. 127). Mr. Stone made y^ last prayer. N'o 
Evil occurrence. Blessed be God ! Mr. Elijah Brigham 
was my Compan}^ home. An Excellent Frame, & a great 
Company ; 

30. A.M. Assist y^ Selectmen in forming their Return 
to the Convention, with y^ Exceptions and Alterations. 
P. M. Attended y«^ Church Meeting. Opened it with 
Prayer. The first Affair was that of Sister Persis Adams, 
wife of Mr. Daniel Adams who was present ; but her Hus- 
band, tho notified seasonably by a Messenger, sent on pur- 
pose by y'^ Pastor to him, to acquaint with y*^ Meeting, for 
what, when & zvhere, did not come. This caused us to 
defer the Hearing any Complaint against him, till we might 
have accuser & accused Face to Face ! Act: 25. 16. The 
Church Meeting, as it relates to this Controversie, is ad- 
journed to y'^ last Monday in August next, at 2 p. m. 

The other Matter on which we met, was to choose two 
Deacons : and chose Dr. James Hawes for one, & Br. Jon" 
Child for Y other by 17 Votes— y^ rest scattering. The 
Dr. desired leave to take so weighty a Concern into Con- 
sideration. The other denyed and again refused, but he 
was urged to consider of it, & not be too resolute in Deny- 
ing. 

The Meeting concluded with prayer and y*^ Blessing. 

Mr. Cushing came from Shrewsbury (from Ashburnham 



240 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZF.R PARKMAN. 

yesterday) and lodged here. Has two Horses, one for Mrs. 
Cotton to ride upon. 

31. I have writ a Letter to Mrs. P. — and Dr. Hawes was 
to have carryed it, but he went too early this morning for it 
to reach him. However Mr. Lemuel Grosvenor and his 
Sister called here in their way to Boston, and took it. We 
had a cheerful and good Day — praising God for his Good- 
ness to his People in continuing our Liberties and Privileges 
and Oppt'y y*^ Day for y^ Exercising y'"., and supplicating 
y^ Divine Presence with the People in their Solemn Assem- 
bly; & y*^ Ministers in their Convention. 

Elias rode over to Hopkinton to wait upon Mrs. Cotton, 
but she was not well eno' to come today, Elias brings me 
from Mr. Barrett's the illustrated Sir Francis Bacon's Ad- 
vancement of Learning. A Book of Stupendous Fame ! — 

June. 

Mr. Cushing Sets out for Ashburnham, I again go to y^ 
Meeting House to assist y'' Towns Men in their making Re- 
ply to y'^ Convention at Boston, and Breck is desired to 
transcribe it for Capt. Fisher to carry with him. A variety 
of Company interrupts and discomposes me. I read in Brog'r. 
Dictionary At Hve. Mr. Elias Harding & Thankful Forbes 
marryed. 

2. Tho it is Friday, I seem obliged to go out and look 
after my Affairs. My Cattle begin to be unruly. I went 
to Mr. Isaac Parker's to see what he would do about work- 
ing for me instead of his Br. Ephraim, some of whose Time 
remains to be made up, and to make some Agreement with 
him to take my Young Oxen to keep. Elias goes to Hop- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZKR PARKMAN. 24 1 

kinton again with Mr. dishing' s Hor.se with him for Mrs. 
Cotton, who comes here at evening. Mr. Hazletine waits 
on Miss Nabby Marty n and two of Squire Baker's Dauters, 
& Miss Mindwell Brigh.am who all (of y'^ last) drink Tea 
here. Dr. Gershom Brigham makes me a visit respecting y^ 
Baptism of his new-born Twins. ^ Mrs. Cotton lodges here. 
I am much prevented studying. 

3. Ensign Snow brings his Dismission from Southboro 
and desires to be admitted into y^ Church here. N. B. 
Frederic Lock who works for me today in moving and .set- 
ting up a Fence at y^ Island to make a Lane from y^ Road 
to my Pasture, meets with a Disappointment by y^ unruli- 
ness of my Steers, and leaves y" Work undone— which pre- 
vents my pasturing my Cows there. 

4. Read Zechariah II. Preached a. & p. m. on Luke 
16.23 & by divine Help, I accomplished y'^ whole. I humbly 
ask y^ Grace & Power of God may be magnifyd in y"^ Awak- 
ening of many Souls ! In y'^ eve read part of another Ser- 
mon of Mr. Flavell's on Rev. 3.20. N. B. Dr. Hawes has 
brot. me from my son Samuel, Melmoth's Sublime & beatif. 
Mr. Ripley of Concord is y'' Proprietor. 

5. Hear that Mr. Henry Quincy is dead! If .so, I heartily 
sympathize wath my old Friend, his Father. 

6. Elias setts out on Breck's Horse for Cambridge. I 
gave him to pay his Quarter bills and other Expenses, to be 
used with the utmost Prudence, Eight hundred Dollars. 

Mr. W". Knight of Boston, Chandler made me a Visit, 

1 Joseph and Benjamin Brigham — married Hannah and Lucy 
Hardy. 



242 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PAKKMAN. 

SO did Mr. Grosvenor of Grafton, whom, to my Joy, I now 
hear, speak with much Audibleness and plainness. They 
dine with me. After dinner, I rode with Mr. Knight in his 
Chai.se to Mr. Gale's, and preached there, on Eph. 5.2, those 
words " As Christ Also hath loved us, «& hath given Himself 
for us. ' ' Had to my Grief, but a small Company, but it was 
chiefly occasioned by his aged Mother's long Confinement. 

7. Breck goes to Boston rides with Mr. Gale. I wrote 
to Mrs. P — by my Son : and by him sent my Watch to 
Mr. Cranch to be mended. 

In much perplexity about my Cattle which are missing ; 
nor have they been seen ever since some time Yesterday ; 
late in y*^ day they are brot home. Am reading The 
Sublime & Beautiful of Scripture. Mr. Jon" Forbes at 
Eve. His Heart is Friendly toward me under my Suffering 
by y*^ depreciations. 

5. Tho Things are Dark as to outer Circumstances, yet 
God is my Refuge. I would beg Grace to hope and trust 
in Him ! Squire Baker came and invites me to the Raising 
of a Grist Mill ^ and a Saw Mill. I went. The Company 
was double, but all supped together at Mr. Rider's. No evil 
Occurrence befell anyone D. G. In y'^ latter part of y"= Day 

came Mrs. P from Boston with various Tidings in her 

Mouth. First y^ joyful y' Sally was 

9. Safely delivered, and had been favoured with a com- 
paratively easy Travel, has a fine fat Dauter, and very like 

iThe mill which gave the name to the "Old Mill Road." It 
was the upper mill site on that road. It was built by Rider, who 
lived in the old house occupied until lately by Mr. John Johnson. 
The mill has long since disappeared. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENKZER PARKMAN. 243 

to do well. The praise to God for all His Mercys! — But y^ 
sorrowful news is from y'' Harbour of Cape Anne, that Mrs. 
Forbes departed on Monday night last, in Child bed. She 
had been delivered of a Dead Child about two Hours before. 
A sad loss to my poor Son-in-law ! The Lord sustain him ! 
and pity y^ Motherless Children, for there are pritty many 
of them — hope they will all find Mercy! — I am informed y' 
Mr. W"'. Parkman, Grandson of my Brother, lives in y^ 
Antient Mansion.^ 

10 

II. My son Samuel's Chaise being here, Breck rides 
with me to Northboro' I preached there on II. Cor: 5. i 
— a Building of God &c. p. m. on Col: 3. 1-2 " Sett your 
Affections &c ' ' Mr. Whitney here on being saved by 
Hope. 

N. B. The Congregation sung without Reading lineally. 
I baptized Mary, an infant of W"\ & — Brigham. 

We each of us returned home at evening. Coll. Cushing 
has been here to raise Recruits here for y'^ Army at New- 
York. 

^ The "Antient Mansion" was on Battery Street, a large, square, 
wooden house, with the door in the middle. It remained in the 
possession of Wm. Parkman, and his son, grandson and great- 
grandson of the same name until about thirty years ago. Then 
it was sold, and made into a store. For more than a hundred 
years after the Rev. Ebenezer called it ancient, it stood as it did in 
his day — with the front door opening at the side on the yard, and 
the shingles growing blacker, but never putting on the modern 
fashion of paint. Only five years ago Battery Street was widened, 
and Mr. Parkman's early home and the home of his "honored 
mother " gave way to the spirit of improvement. 



244 DIARY OF REV. EBEXEZER PARKMAN. 

12. Visited Mr. Simeon Bellows, (who was prayed for 
yesterday. ) being confined by various Disorders. I dind 
there, prayed with them. Visited at eight of y*^ houses of 
that Corner, as far as to Mr. Belknaps. 

Mr. Elijah Brigham and vSophy rid in Sam's Chaise to 
Hopkinton, Visiting Dr. vStimson. They returned here at 
night. 

13. Wrote to my son Ebenezer at Head Quarters, Morris 
Town New Jersie. Was at Deac. Woods. N. B. We dis- 
coursed of y^ late Deac. Tainter's Legacy of fifty pounds^ old 
tenor, to this Church. 

14. I should have depended upon Mr. Grosvenor to 
preach for me today, but it was too foul weather. I preached 
myself on Ps : 63. 8 to page 5 and part of y*^ Additions at 
y bottom continued for several Pages. By Desire of y'^ 
Deacons y'= church Stopd : The Business was to Consider of 
Mr. B. Tainter's Note of Hand, by which he is bound, to 

1 Dea. Simon Taiuter died in April of 1767, and left by will " unto 
the First Church of Christ in Westboro' aforesaid, of which I am a 
member, the sum of Six pounds, thirteen shillings and fourpence." 
I know of no other Dea. Tainter to whom Mr. Parkman could refer. 
His son Benjamin was unfortunate financially, selling the farm 
which his father had deeded to him, a little while before his death, 
for Continental money, which proved of little value. He went to 
Vermont, as Mr. Parkman records on the 20th, where he died in 
1810. 

He was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1746, and had many 
strange experiences among them. " In person he was tall, straight 
and robust and was rough with the Indians, who liked him the 
more for it — and during his captivity he became a great favorite 
with them." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PAR KM AN. 245 

pay y^ Legacy his Father left. Deacon Bond put it to vote, 
whether they would do anything about that Note? It went 
negatively, for there was no Hand lifted up that I saw. 

15. No certain news yet that Charlestown, South Caro- 
lina, is taken, but reasons to fear it is, are greatly increased. 
Sad accounts from y^ West on Mohawk River. May it please 
God to extend Pity and Compassion to them, as their case 
may be & fit us in these parts, for His Sovereign Will ! 
Finish reading Courtney Melmoth's Sublime and beautiful 
of Scripture. 

16. Mr. Abr'". Holland and Miss Crosby visit here. I 
purchase of him Lord Somers on Government entitled The 
Judgment of Kins and Nations concerning the Rights &c. 
of Kings and y^ Rights &c. of y^ People. ' ' I gave Mr. Hol- 
land for this eminent Book, Mr. Prince's Compendium Logi- 
cal and 3 Pamphlets besides. Mrs. Snow and Mrs. (wife of 
W™ ) John.son. The former desires to be propounded for ad- 
mission &c. Suse goes to her Father's with a view to Wean 
her child. Further Alarms — more men called for. 

17. Capt. Fisher returns from Boston: informs y' two 
thirds of y^^ people of this State appear to accept of y^ Plan 
& Form of Government which y'^ Convention had drawn up 
& recommended : That y'^ Convention is Dissolved ; and y' 
some very important letters from Congress and from Gen'l 
Washington had arrived ; & recommended most immediate 
«& vigorous Exertions in raising men and furnishing Pro- 
visions for y Army. 

He also brings a Letter from Elias, who writes that as the 
Conclusion of all Collegiate Exercises was at 3 o'clock y" 
afternoon of y" 13"', and no public Performances to be on y"^ 



246 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

21"^ as was expected, by reason of y" immense Expense of 
necessarys there, so there is nothing to hinder his returning 
home on Monday next &c. 

18. Read Ps: 63 preached on Ps : 63. 8. Administered 
y^ Lord's Supper-Mrs. Maynard and Mrs. Davis dind here, 
p. M. on Ps : 133. 3. 

19. Dr. Hawes rides down to Court designing (as I sup- 
pose) that Elias shall ride up from Cambridge on his Hor.se. 

20. The Association was at my Hou.se, but we were only 
Three. Mr. Stone and Mr. Whitney. They would main- 
tain Order and therefore had a Moderator, who prayed and 
gave an ab.stract of an Exerci.se on Ps. 133. N. B. While 
we were dining came in Elias from Cambridge. The reason 
of Mr. vSmith's ab.sence was his very low afflicted State of 
Body. Perhaps for the same reason his son Bridge, is ab- 
sent. Mr. Newel Raises an House today, and Mr. Whitney 
makes Haste back to Northboro' to carry Nails for his. Mr. 
Sam' Thurston here and was examined. Mr. Benj. Tainter 
& Sons, with their Wives & Children, Goods &c. move from 
Westboro' and try to go towards New Fane. 

21. Took an Opportunity to reckon with Elias, as to his 
Expen.ses. I found there was so great Alteration of Times, 
Customs & Charges as was very astonishing — especially 
considering that no alteration was made by y^ Constable, or 
y'^ Town as to what is paid to me. 

Read y'= Life of y^ Celebrated Erasmus in Biogr. Diction- 
ary. Reced a letter from my Son Forbes dated y'' 6"' con- 
taining an account of his Wife's Death. I undertook to 
write him an answer to it — Great Difficulty in raising Men 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 247 

for y^ War. Twelve are called for, but 9 obtained ; & yet 
(I hear) Orders are immediately for twelve more. 

22. My wife and Suse ride to her Father'.s and to Capt. 
Jones's. They bring home Httle Hannah, who was been 

Weaning. I walked to visit several Neighbours, — was at 
Mr. Newton's, Parker's, Warrins, Isaac Parkers, (where I 
drank Tea) Davis's, old Mr. Pratt's. My Kinsman Cover- 
ing here from y^ Hamlet, & lodged here. 

23. N. B. have been in uncommon Surprise at Elias's 
wanting so large a Sum of Money as was called for to pay 
his Buttery Bill, which amounts to ^321.6. I gave him 
300 Dollars of my own, borrowed of Breck 620, and am 
obliged to send money for the Degree which must be 30/ 
hard Money, which at 60 for one (as now y'^ Cu.stom is) 
comes to 300 Dollars. These I receive of Breck, and offer 
him 5 Milled Dollars. So y' I now give Elias 1220 Dollars, 
& he goes to Cambridge to clear off and finish there. Lov- 
ering goes on his journey to "Westfield. 

N. B. He gives strange account of several Praeteruatural 
Births lately, & of y'^ Worms destroying y'' Trees, in his 
Neighborhood. 

24. My son Elias returned home from Cambridge, hav- 
ing now finished at College, taken up my Bond which I 
gave to Stew^art Hastings, on Oct. i. 1776. 

25. Read Zech 12. Preached on Luke 16, last v. p. m. 
read Luke 17. repeated and preached on esp : X. 32. which 
may God graciousl}^ bless ! ^y Request of Selectmen and 
commanding Officers, I warned the Company of Soldiers to 
meet tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock. Mr. Elijah Brigham 
and Mrs. Susan Snow propounded. 



248 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

26. The Town met, and y*^ two Companys of Soldiers to 
raise men to go into the war— 15 to be compleated for six 
months, and there are orders for 14 for three months. Mas- 
ter Sam. Brigham and Winslow Maynard (son of y'^ late 
James Jr. deceased) dind here. 

N. B. Mr. Gale takes account of y'^ Acres I own in West- 
boro' viz. ab't 66. 

27. vSophy rides to Boston in her Brother Sam''s Chaise. 
Josiah Brigham goes with her and carrys Suse Parkman to 
her Father's. N. B. Sent by Sophy a letter to Mr. Forbes, 
Gloucester. Another to Mr. Thos. Adams' at Medfield, 
also to Mr. Ripley, his Melmoth on Sublime and Beautiful 
of Script. Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Sparhawk of Templetonhere, 
and dines with us. p. m. came Mrs. Sarah Thurston to be 
examined in order to her joining with y*^ Church. ' Mr. Jo- 
siah Bowker and his Wife, with Deac. Wood's Wife, make 
us a Visit, & drink Tea here. 

28. The Companys meet again to raise Men. Mr. Thad. 
Warrin mows part of my Square — but is catched in y" Rain. 
Two of y^ Selectmen, viz. Mr. Eb"^ Maynard & Mr. Tim 
Warrin here, to inform me that they are going to call a 
Town Meeting, and they ask me whether I would have any 
Thing put in, relative to my Circumstances. I consented 
that they should. Master Sam Brigham lodges here. 

1 Mr. Thomas Adams was remarkable for bis literary proclivities. 
He was the father of Hannah Adams the anthoress, "the pioneer 
of feminine culture in America." He was born in 1725 and died in 
1812. He kept a Diary of minute events from 1750 till his death, 
and altogether must have been a very congenial friend to Mr. Park- 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 249 

29. I have y^ Comfort to have my square Piece of Grass 
mowed and the mower, Mr. Warrin dind with us. But y'^ 
people are in trouble for they cant raise the men that are 
called for. Viz : 15 for Six months & 14 for three months. 
They meet again this afternoon. Old Mr. David Maynard 
& Deac. Wood here. 

30. Josiah Brigham returns from Boston & Concord, 
with little Suse. 

Thus we finish this month, but with very gloomy and 
doubtful Apprehensions concerning the Events of the Next. 
But may a good God Support us ! 

July 1780 
The chief Conversation is about y'^ Men who are to be 
raised for Six Months, and those which are for three Months, 
p. M. Mr. Huntington Porter, a young Preacher, was here 
in his Way from Ward, where he has been preaching, to 
Hopkinton where he is expected to preach tomorrow. 

2. Read Zech. 13. I delivered y^ latter part of Sermon 
on Luke 17. 32 Mr. Elijah Brigham dind here. p. m. 
read Ps. 92 and preached on Luke 16 ult. At eve read 
part of Mr. Flavell's 4"^ Sermon on Rev : 3. 20. 

3. Much hindered by both y-^ old and y young Bees 
swarming. Went to Mr. Warren's to see his Wife, & re- 
quest him to come and mow my Grass which is dying, but 
could not succeed. 

Mr. Z. Hicks does not come for Si.ster Champney as she 
expected. 

4. Notwithstanding it was very rainy, I went to Private 
Meeting at Mrs. Newton's and preached on Lsa : 64. 9, occa- 



250 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

sioned by these unhappy Times. I have writ to my Dauter 
Baldwin. 

5. Breck is gone to Boston. I read Warburton's Notes, 
on Pope's Essay on ^Nlan. Mr. Thos. Kendal who has 
been Preaching at Kittery, is returning there again ; but 
tarrys today, while he is here Mr. Sam Brigham commis- 
sioned to be a Lieutenant to those that are y^ Militia, and 
for three months. Desires prayers & a Sermon, in behalf of 
not only himself, but others that go with him. Old Mr. 
Dan' Hardy, who went to Brookfield yesterday A. M. re- 
turns from there today about three p. m. By him came 
news not only from My Dauter Baldwin, but that she has 
had Letters of June 15 from her Hu.sband & Br. Eb'. 

Mr. Zech. Hicks came for his aunt Champney, — lodged 
here. 

6. vSister Lydia Champne}' removes from hence to Sut- 
ton, both herself and her Goods, — by y*" Assistance of Mr. 
Zech. Hicks, tho this parting from us is wath no small 
Regret. 

At eve I was miserably dull & unfit for any Thing. The 
little Sleep and Multitude of heavy Cares & Trouble have 
made me very soggy and incapable of laudable Exertion. 

7. But this morning am (thro God's Goodness) in toler- 
able Plight — had an Opportunity to discourse with Ensign 
James Miller, who being commonly an Opposer of y*^ Town's 
Adding to my Salery, I enquired of him the Reasons, & 
endeavored to obviate them. 

A.M. Breck returned from Boston . P.M. P^nsign Snow 
& Wife. She brot her Relation. 

8. Four Men came kindly to give a Morning Jobb, & cut 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 25 1 

down y^ English & Clover Grass in my West Field. They 
were Messrs. Thad. Warrin, Paul Lamson, Jon" Pierce & 
Eb>- Force. They worked till nine o'clock a. m. Mr. Brig- 
ham brot home Cloth from Clothier Woods, Northboro. 

9. Read Zech. 14. Preach a. m. on Gal: 6. 7-8. Mr. 
Bridge of Worcester, Mr. Jon" Fay, and Lieut, Sam Brig- 
ham din'd here. p. m. preached on Deut. and addressed 

y^ Soldiers who sat by themselves. Mr. Brigham and Mrs. 
Snow were admitted into y^ Church. So was her Husband, 
who removed from Southboro'. 

At eve in y'' Family read Flavell on Rev. 3. 20. 

10. Town Meet Early to compleat y^ Number of Sol- 
diers, but they are .so unhappy that they cannot do it. 

Mr. Jon" Pierce and Isaac Ruggles came to work for me. 
Elias had spoke to them. They finished y^ Mowing of y'^ 
West Field, & p. m. went to the Island. Ruggles lodges 
here. 

1 1 . The foresaid Men work here and Mr. Pierce all day 

at y« Interval. Mrs. P rode over to Capt. Wood's to 

Enquire into y^ Cause of spoiling a piece of black Cloth. 
She had no Recompense. Mr. Sam Thurston here about 
his joining to y*^ Church. 

12. P. M. Came Mrs. Thurston and her Mother Har- 
rington with her to assist her in her Examination. 

N. B. Mr. Brigham sat out for Boston and going thro 
Marlboro. I sent Mrs. Speakman's Pope's Essay on Man. 
A Piece well worth Reading— At eve I visit Capt. John 
Wood's Wife being in deep Grief for y^ Eoss of their Babe. 
The mowers here yet. But Elias towards night gives up is 
sick and goes to bed. 



252 DIARV OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

13. Elias lies by wholly: but y'^ hired Men attend to my 
Work, mowing Raking and Carting — they bring home one 
Load of Hay. 

14. Elia.s is better, and though feeble he Carts Hay. 3 
lyoads. 

Mr. Brigham returns with Sophy, from Boston, late at 
night. 

15. Mr. Pierce does not come to work, but Ruggles 
comes for the forenoon only. Two load more from the 
Interval. 

At ev'g came Mr. Daniel Adams with a Paper which is 
addressed to y'^ Church, he complains of hard Usage: & is 
in some warmth with me. I told him I could not lay it 
before y^ Church tomorrow, because there were various 
things to be done &c. 

16. Read Malachi, Chap. I. & forenoon Exercise was 
upon y^ beginning of it. N. B. Mr. Brighaju a)id Sophy 
were published. Capt. Fisher, with leave, read to y*^ Con- 
gregation, after y'^ Blessing, his very urgent Orders for 
raising Soldiers. Mrs. Maynard dind. 

p. M. I preached on Gal VI. 7-8. On account of y*^ Har- 
vest. At evening I read further Mr. Flavell on Rev. 3. 20. 

17. The Militia Soldiers 14. under Lieut. Brigham 
marched. 

Mr. Corn. Biglow came to reap my Island Field of Rye. 
I had conference with Mr. Han. Parker. Elias does not 
work, but waits upon Miss Lois Burnet, who is here at work 
on his Coat which is made of y^ Cloth which Mr. Wood of 
Northboro had dyed black & fulled, lately for us. 

Toicn Meet, partly to see whether they will do anything 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 253 

in regard to my Salary. I sent them a Paper, which was 
read I hear that they voted thirteen Hundred to make up 
the Deficiency of y'^ last year. I thank God for thus much. 
May I have grace to improve it ! 

18. Am sadly disappointed of y'' Work which I hoped 
for. Elias, being not well, can do nothing ; tho everything is 
pressing and urgent : only he went up the street to speak to 
Mr. Joseph Smith, who had told me once and again that he 
would work for me : but is now engaged to Deac. Wood, & 
Elias fetched me y*" Paper (which the Col. as Town Clerk 
has) which I sent y*" Town yesterday — and he copy'd it. 

19. Many Interruptions and Avocations from my Studys, 
.so that I can but imperfectly prepare for y'^ Solemnity ap- 
proaching, but would humbly commit myself, my Way, my 
Work to God. 

Elias has been so out of health, that he has not been able 
for Several days to work. But today he went a while to y- 
Interval & there being part of a I^oad of Hay in Cock there, 
he mowes 3 or 4 Cocks, and with my Team he brot it home : 
and p. M. he went to y^ Island, where Mr. Biglow is reap- 
ing, and (Mr. Biglow pitching it) Elias brot home a Load 
of Rye of 12 Shock and 1 Sheaf. N. B. Miss Lois Burnet 
at work here and part of p. m. her Kinswoman Henrietta 
with her. Miss Patty Fisk here and dines with us. We are 
under y'^ Holy Frowns of Heaven, by parching Heat and 
Dryness. May the God of infinite Pity and Mercy .send 
Relief to us ! 

20. A Day of Humiliation, FASTING and Prayer, on 
account of the uncommon Distress. Preached a. m. on i. 
Kings 20.28 last clause and tho I wrote much, and was long 



254 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

in y*^ Exercise, yet could not be so particular in Application 
as I designed, & very much desired. p. m. I delivered 
some parts of Discourse on Eccl. 8. ii and added Appli- 
cations, Reproofs, Exhortations & Cautions. When we 
returned, found ni}' Grandson Isaac Baldwin from Cam- 
bridge here, going home. He lodged here with us. 

21. Was forced to go out and look up Workmen. Capt. 
Fisher is gone to mowe for me at Middle Meadoic, (or my 
Interval). Mr. Biglow again reaps, & Elias part of y^ 
forenoon, p. m. goes to y'^ Interval, to look after y'^ Hay 
there. When he returns he goes up to y Flock of Sheep. 
N. B. A Fire prevailed a while in \^ Hill Nigh Wood's 
Field, but did not much Dammage, tho a dry Time and 
somewhat Windy. 

Mrs. Hannah (wife of Mr. Thomas) Andrews here & 
passes Examination freely, as to knowledge and hopeful 
Experience. D. G. ■ 

Paul Biglow comes with Joshua Twitchell & Fortunatus 
Miller.^ The two latter being Deserters: to see Gen'l Wash- 
ington's Proclamation of Pardon to such : And P. Biglow 
would for a large Reward, go in Miller's stead. 

22. Three men are mowing at y^ Interval, viz : Capt. 
Fisher, Mr. Elijah Force (who goes for Mr. Joseph Smith, 
& he is instead of Mr. Lsaac Parker, who will work for 
Smith instead of it.) Mr. Thad. Warrin also works A. m, 
but no longer. Elias brings home a Load of Hay at noon. 
At Night another, but too late. 

1 Fortunatus Miller, about a year after this, married Ebenezer 
Forbush'.s daughter Patty. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 255 

23. Read part of II. Chron. 6 & preached on 6 to 31. on 
Consideration of y*^ uncommon Dryness of y*^ Weather, p. m. 
on Gal. 6. 8 former part. N. B. The Church was stayed 
and I read Mr. Adams' Paper dated July 21. 1780 & signed 
Daniel Adams. The consideration of it was deferred to y*" 
Adjournment of y'^ Church Meeting, which is to y^ last Mon- 
day in August next (God willing. ) 

N, B. Mr. Brighara & Sophy were published y<= last Time. 
At eve Read part of Mr. Flavell's 5"' Sermon on Rev. 
3. 20. 

24. Mr. Biglow comes again to reap. Capt. Fisher 
works at the Interval partly for me, helping Elias in getting 
the Hay there read5^ and Elias brings home one Load,- 
having Deac. Wood's Oxen added to our Team : & Elias 
carrys one Load of y^ Interval Hay to Capt. Fisher, and at 
eve he fetches home one Eoad of Rye. 

Miss Lois Burnet and her Kinswoman (Henrietta ) at work 
here again on making Cloths for Elias. 

25. Mr. Bigelow reaps. Elias with our own Team only, 
brings home two Load from y^ Interval. Capt. F. helps 
him somewhat (but his chief work was at Lieut. Bond's). 
Miss Lois and Henrietta finish for y*^ present. 

26. Elias went with our Team, and Breck went with him 
to load and tho it was but a small Jagg, it was y«= last from 
y'^ Interval. In all thirteen times, y'^ Team has gone for me, 
& once for Capt. Fisher, p. m. Elias goes to reaping, for 
Mr. Biglow reaps but slowly. Mr. Beriah Ware^ here, and 

1 Beriah Ware's name appears only ouce in the History of West- 
borough — as living in 1789 in the Sixth School Squadron, the same 
one to which Capt. Mayuard belonged. Who he was or what he did, 



256 DIARY OF REV. KBENEZER PARKMAN. 

was in great, singular and distressful trouble, but not so 
much upon spiritual as temporal accounts. Remarkable un- 
easiness by reason of a Disappointment &c. &c. This was 
y'^ more noticeable as y*^ Man is well towards 40 years of age. 
27. My Affairs are in a very uncomfortable situation. 
Mr. Biglow reaps, is too old and feeble to do much — there 
is a great part of y*^ Field of Rye yet remaining. No body 
offers to assist, though divers talked of it. The late Grant of 
the Town was for my present Necessity but y*-' Money cant be 
raised and paid & a Man or Men provided till y^ Grain & 
Grass are lost. The Newton Meadow is untouched & no 
help provided. In this critical Juncture, Elias would fain 
break off from work and rest himself, intending tomorrow 
to go to Brookfield and then to Springfield : tho there is no 
man that can by any means possibly be obtained : When Mr. 
Biglow finishes y*^ Reaping, there can be nobody to cart it 
home. Elias reaped part of y'= Day. I walked up to Mr. 
Warrin's & acquainted him with my present State. He sent 
his son John. I went to Mr. Kenney, who sent his son Joel 
—those Boys reaped p. m. Capt. Morse came in to see me. 
No Hope from him of any Help. Capt. Fisher agrees to go 
& cut my new Swamp, & he is to allow me as he finds is 
just. The Drought is become very intense. The Corn suf- 
fers very much, & all Vegetables. An holy Frown of God ! 
May we be suitably affected with it, & prepared for y"^ 
Divine Will! Elias carted home about 11 Shock of R3e at 
evening. 

we know not, only that four years later his distressed heart found 
peace, and he and Hannah Hardy " were Joyned in Marriage" by 
James Hawes. He lived in Westborough until his death, in 1832. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 257 

28. Mr. Bigelow reaps A. M. Elias also. — Breck took 
a morn-spell at it. Deac. Wood has y^ Oxen part of A. M. 
Breck has them p. m. He sends them down to meet a 
Teemer, who is bringing up a Load from Boston. P. M. 
About a quarter after two o'clock, God was pleased to 
remember us in Mercy and sent Rain, together with Thun- 
der and Lightning. To His Name be Glory! Mr. Biglow 
went home about 4 P. M, & Elias to reaping again. 

At eve heard that Mr. Abra'" Bond's Barn was burnt by 
y"^ Lightning. 

29. Went in y^ Morning to see y'^ sorrowful Desolations, 
& sympathise with y*^ Sufferers May y'^ Lord sanctifie y'^ 
sad Loss to y"' ! 

Elias goes again to Squire Baker's Pasture to look for y'^ 
Lamb which he sought for before, but returns empty. 

30. I preached on I. Cor: 11-29. Administered, y" 
Lord's Supper: before which Sam' Thurston and Sarah his 
wife were admitted into y*^ Church. Mrs. Maynard and Mr. 
Hazletine dind here. p. m. on Gal: 6.8. At eve read 
(Breck, his wife &c. attending with us as usual) another 
part of Mr. Flavell on Rev: 3.20. May God gracioush' 
accept ! 

31. J/j son Elias left iis to go to Springfield, to keep 
School there. Carrys principal Classicks, expecting to 
teach Grammer. 

I wrote a letter to Brother Breck. It is an article which 
much Affects me. May God Almighty bless him, & make 
him a Blessing ! Delivered him 170 Dollars. 



17 



258 diarv of rev. ebenezer parkinian. 

August 1780. 

A Message by Mr. Elijah Brigham from Mr. Sumner, to 
preach his Lecture — borrowed Mr. Ware's Mare to ride 
there, — made several short Visits in y^ Street — dind at 
Squire Baker's, but he came not home as was expected. 
N. B. The Private Meeting was, according to Custom, to 
have been at his House today, but it was put off because of 
y*^ Busyness of y'^ Season, & few Hands to do it. 

2. Rode to Shrewsbury. Mr. Fairbank came here and 
was my Company to Mr. Sumner's: where I dind. Preached 
his Lecture to an extremely thin Auditory. Text Rev: 14, 
6-7. After Lecture came Mr. Whitney to Mr. vSumner's 
House. N. B. Col. Symmes' Widow there also. At eve 
arose a Thunder Storm. I lodged at Dr. Crosby's. 

3. In returning called to see Mr. Joseph Knowlton's 
Wife, who relapses somewhat to her old state ; visit Mr. 
Gershom Brigham's Wife, who languishes. I went in to 
Mr. Sam' Fay's, his wife having been lately much indis- 
posed — but he treated me with roug/imss. At Deac. 
Wood's I .saw one Mrs. Abigail Giles, Dauter of Mr. W"'. 
Jenison, that was of Salem, & widow of Mr. Sam'l Giles., 
greatly reduced & lame. p. m. Mrs. Hawes, Squire's 
Dauter, Polly Wood at Tea. 

N. B. In Biog'r. Diet. X'ariety in Human Life. — Egin- 
hard's Wife, ( Dauter of Charles the Great) carry'd him on 
her Back from her Apartment thro y*^ Snow, y' the prents of 
his Feet might not be discovered ; yet her Father saw them 
from his Window. Oueen Elizabeth's Life notable for her 
Wit and Learning, affected Grandeur (S: power, Magnificent 



DIARY OF RKV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 259 

Dress, Entertainment, Amours,— but a secret reason is given 
by Mezeray why she would not Marry. — Equatius (John- 
Baptist). This great Man had ahnost a divine Memory: 
whatever he had read or heard, he could relate by Heart, & 
in a very agreeable manner. He was born at Venice 1473. 

4. Have writ to Mr. Quincy and to Mr. Moore, and 
committ y^ Letters to Mr. Elijah Brigham, who is going to 
Boston. 

5. I was much interrupted by being obliged to go to the 
Island to mend Fence, that the Cows might not break in 
upon Mr. Andrews. Mr. Abr'". Bond was here with his 
Petition for a Contribution. Mrs. Fay (Mr. John Fay's 
Wife) came to be examined, but I could spend but a little 
Time with her. 

6. I had partly prepared on Malachi First, but was 
obliged to lay it aside, and went on considering y'^ Harvest 
Season, with my Repetitions, with additions and alterations 
of Sermon on Gal. 6. 7-8. a & p. m. and finished y" Subject. 
May God be plea.sed to add his special Ble.ssing ! I read 
Bond's Petition for Contribution. Mrs. Maynard dind here. 
At eve read in Mr. Flavell on Rev : 3.20 

7. Was anxious about Breck's Hor.se, which Elias rode 
to Springfield, and is not come back : but before noon came 
young Joshua Johnson of Bolton, who returning from his 
3 years Warfare rode Horse from Springfield hither, thereby 
.saving Charge, and brot a Letter from Elias, who has taken 
y*^ School there, for a year upon settled pay to his Satisfac- 
tion. Thanks be to God for y'= Favour. 

8. Mr. Sam' Crosby (young preacher) dind here. 



26o DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

P. M. Mrs. Giles spent y'^ P. M. here & drank Tea 
with us. 

At eve, Eben' Chamberlain jun' full of earnest Conversa- 
tion about Sallery. 

9. Extracts from Biog'r. Dict'>'. 

10. Messrs. Motla}^ Ezek Savage, preachers, and one 
Mr. Pearson of Newbury, made me a Visit, dind &c. 

11. Mrs. Mehitable Fay (wife of John) here with her 
Relation, which I corrected and copy'd. Josiah Brioham 
cauic to Brcck again to live with him. The}- clear y^ lower 
Well. 

12. Mr. John Fay was examined — left a Relation to be 
corrected & transcribed. He dines here. 

13. Preached on Malachi: Ch. I. V 6-9. p. m. previous 
to a Contribution for Mr. Abr'". Bond,' I preached again on 
John, 4.10. At eve read Flavell on Rev. 3.20. Serm. 6. 

14. Rode over to Mr. Beeton's to visit old Mrs. Kelly 
and prayed with her, of which she said she mis.sed but 
little. Her Conversation generally sp'. and savoury. John 
Beeton's Wife is greatly recovered from her Lameness. 

15. Tho it was a very hot Day, I rode to Southboro, 
hoping to meet y*" other Brethren who would associate there 
— but no other Members came. We nevertheless improved 
y" Opportunity in Prayer (S: attendance on a Discourse Mr. 
Stone read on Gal, and I read an Extract from Cicero on 
Old Age. Ch: XIX. 

^ "A contril)ution for Mr. Abraham Bond, when were gathered 
593X Dollars, and thirteen notes of Grain, Labour and other 
things necessary and usefnll. His Barn was l)urne(l by Lightning 
Friday July 28th last." — Church Records. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 26 1. 

Mr. Stone has lately been exercised with the Gravel, and 
particularly last Lord's Day. p. m. did not go to Meeting, 
but is somewhat better. 

I returned at eve. Mr. Elijah here dc die in diem. His 
Brother Josiah is gone to Medway in order to Miss Eliz. 
Beal's Return to Westboro' again. 

16. Benj. Wood and his Brother John came here to be 
set to work. I employed Benj. in mowing in my Newton 
Meadow. John hoed a little with Billy Spring in Beeton 
Field — It was but of trifling Value. 

P. M. Ben mowed a while, and y^ lesser Boy reaped and 
cocked — but they were all beat off by Rain, Thunder & 
Lightening. 

17. Sent by Breck to Mr. Stone's for Notes y' I inad- 
vertently left there. Breck goes before Day, designing for 
Boston. 

18. Mrs. P. out of Health. Dr. Hawes to see her. 

19. Breck returned from Boston — he brot me a large let- 
ter from Mr. Quincy, who since Y Death of his Son Henry 
is moved to Boston, and for y^ present lives with his Dauter- 
in-law, who (with her children) dwells in William's Court. ^ 
This Week was filled with Encumbrance. 

20. Read a. m. y*^ Latter part of Joh. 4, and repeated y*^ 
latter part of Discour.se on V. 16. At noon, Breck and his 
Family, Mr. Brigham and his Sister Anna, Mrs. Maynard, 
Isaac and Luke Baldwin (who came from Shrewsbury this 

^Williams Court still appears on the maps of Boston under the 
same name, althouo^h familiarly known as Pie Alley. It is not the 
place that the Ouincys would now select for their home. It is usually 
crowded with hungry newsboys, seeking a five-cent dinner, with an 



262 DIAKY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

morn) dind with us. p. m. did not read before it but preached 
on Isa : 55. lo-ii p. 191 to y'^ bot. of p 202. N. B. baptized 
Six Children of Mr. Sam'l Thur.ston. At eve read in my 
Family part of Mr. Flavell's sixth Sermon on Rev: 3. 20. 
Rec'd a I^etter from Mr. Forbes of Gloucester. Mrs. P. is 
so indisposed that she has been but little at Meeting for a 
great while: could not go today: is sick, faint, and weak. 
The Child also has been not well, for some days. 

21. My young Baldwins take leave for Cambridge & 
By field. 

22. A very dr)' hot Season. After a great deal of Pains 
and Trouble, Benj. Woods, who tho but a Youth, works 
well and with y"^ Help of Josiah Brigham, a few Hours, 
they get in y" last of my Newton Meadow Hay. I have 
been employed in making Extracts from the Biog'r. Diet. 

23. I am too much taken up with my Farm Affairs, 
particularly to have my Fences repaired, that my Cattle 
may have Feed, and cant attend much to my Studys. Mr. 
John Fay and Mr. Thad Warrin are employed. 

24. Mrs. Nabby Martyn is at work here for Suse. I 
attended y*^ Burial of Mr. Abijah Gale's Child, Sarah, of 
more than four months, it dyed somewhat suddenly. I 
called to see Mr. Eben' Forbes, who (and his Wife) had 



occasional hungry lawyer hurrying through their midst for a more 
expensive lunch at Young's. 

It is entered now, as in Mr. Ouincy's da)^ under an archway on 
Washington Street, between School and Court streets. 

In the first quarter of this century a residence in Williams Court 
was considered much more aristocratic than on Beacon Street, which 
was too far out in the country. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 263 

been sick. Visit also y" old Folks. Mr. John Fay, with 
his Relation here, and signs it. 

25. Mrs. Persis Adams here and prays y^ Church Meet- 
ing (to be otherwise next Monday) may be adjourned to 
some future time, inasmuch as she cannot get ready. 

N. B. Breck & Suse with little Hannah go to Col. 
Brigham's, at eve, to lodge there, in their way to Ashburn- 
ham «& Marlboro'. 

26. Breck and Suse, leaving their little Girl, at North- 
boro' proceed on their Journey. Mr. Daniel Adams came 
here to enquire whether any Complaint against him, was 
lodged here. There was none. 

27. Read Ps. 104. preached on Mai. i. 9. 10. 11. and 
p. M. on Isa. 55. V. II "So shall my Word be " &c. Three 
persons taken into y^ Church. The Church Meeting was 
adjourned. x\t eve, I read further in Mr. Flavells, Eng- 
land's Duty on Rev. 3. 20. 

28. On Deac. Wood's Horse I rode to Mr. Gershom 
Brigham's to .see his Wife, who is dangerously ill. The 
State of her Soul deplorable as well as her Body. She was 
very sorry y^ she had neglected y^ I^ord's Supper. She was 
in much Confusion. I prayed with her and y^ Family. I 
dind there. Thence went to visit y'^ North West Corner of 
y^ Town, Messrs. Gleason's, Joh" Maynard's, & Sam' 
Riders, Mr. Thomas Lamson's (on Edmund Rice's place) 
old Mr. James Maynard, & his son Amasa's. 

29. An uncommonly burning Season, hot Sun & drying 
Wind.s — so y^ y^ Droughth is much increased. 

30. Exceedingl}' taken up with y*^ Creatures breaches for 



264 DIARY OF RKV. EBEXEZER PARKMAN. 

want of Feed — especially my Oxen — Mr. Belknap and his 
wife here. 

p. M. Mr. David Andrews of Northboro" here to reqviest 
me to visit his little son extremely bad (Mr. Whitney being 
gone to Northboro') I went, pra^^ed &c — 

31. Mr. Gershom Brigham brings his Wife's Earnest 
Desire y^ I would visit her again «& preach a Sermon there 
today. I complyed — delivered a short Discourse (as I could ) 
from several passages in Isa. 55. " hear and your Soul shall 
live." May God bless what was delivered ! Mrs. Br. is brot 
very low. At eve found Sophy ill. vShe has taken physick : 
Mr. Elijah Brigham with her. 

September 1780 

Breck and Suse return home having been to visit their 
Brothers Gushing, Levi Brigham & Alexander. 

Capt. Goddard of Sutton calls at Breck's Shop «& relates, 
That y*^ Scholars at College (from whence he was come) had 
so generally signed a petition y'. Pres. Langdon might be 
dismissed, that he himself had asked a Dismission and that 
it was granted him. Whence this has arisen, I know not. 

2. Sophy has been poorly several days. 

3. Read Ps. 105. preached on Isa: 55. 12. Mrs. May- 
nard dind here. p. m. preached on Exodus 18.21 on Con- 
sideration of y-' Election of y'^ Morrow : and therefore added 
a new introduction and application, to what I heretofore 
prepared on that text. But it being rainy there were but 
few to hear it. At eve, Mr. P'lavell on Rev. 3. 20. Breck 
read. Mr. Brigham here 

4. Deacon Wood in no small Trouble on account of his 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 265 

Wife's Difference with his son John and his Wife, who 
have had grievous Contentions and Threatening to complain 
to y*" Grand Jur}^ tomorrow. 

p. M. Y^ Grand Meeting of y^ Town to choose a Gov- 
ernor, Lt. Governor, & Senators ; Mr. Batherick & 
Lieut. Grout came with a Message from y^ Town to desire me 
to go and open y*" Meeting with Prayer — went and prayed — 
the Chairman of y*^ Selectmen prevented my going out by 
asking me to tarry and sit with ym. The hon. Mr. John 
Hancock was elected Governor by sixty-one votes. There 
was one vote only besides, which was (mine) for Mr. James 
Bowdoin.^ Votes for Lieut. Governor were for Hon. James 
Warrin, out of 55, 50. I voted for Mr. Bowdoin The 
meeting was adjourned to Wedne.sday, 4 p m. 

5. By Deac. Wood's Desire, I went in y"= Morning to his 
House, with Capt. Joseph Wood of Hopkinton & Mr. 
Thos. Wood of Brookfield. Deacon's W^ife asked me to go 
alone with her, and manifested a penitent Frame : desired 
me to go into her son's Room, and talk with him and his 
Wife, which I did. then met together and through y"^ Good- 
ness of God, we brot each of y^ Party s to Condescentions, 
mutual acknowledgment, and asking forgiveness & promises 

1 Hancock was the son-in-law of Mr. Parkman's old friend, Mr. 
Quincy. James Bowdoin had been very forward during the Revo- 
lutionary disturbances in opposition to the royal governor, he had 
been president in 1775 of the council of Government and also pres- 
ident of the convention assembled for the formation of a constitu- 
tion. He succeeded Hancock as governor of Massachusetts. Bow- 
doin College was named for him, by his son who gave lavishly to 
it. It was not founded until after James Bowdoin's death, who 
left a legacy to Harvard College. 



266 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

of Reformation. The Deacon desired me to pray and give 
thanks to God. Whereupon we all parted in Peace and 
Joy. Glory be to God alone ! Josiah Brigham goes to Bos- 
ton. 

Mr. Gleason came and informed y' Mr. Gershom Brig- 
ham's Wife dyed this morning: and y'= Survivors desire me 
to attend y'= Funeral next Thursday-. 

6. Mr. Grosvenor came, dind and preached. Text was 
Gal : 6.7, latter clause. His voice not only audible, but sono- 
rous, but especially y'^ Matter good, and y'^ Manner agreea- 
ble. After Meeting y'^ Church .stopped to receive the Answer 
of y'^ two elected Deacons. The Doctor delivered a paper in 
which he acquiesced in y'^ Choice if there was no Objection, 
& if y*" Choice was unanimous ; otherwise he refu.sed. The 
vote was then tried (though y*" members present were but 
few) upon which there was ever)- Hand, and he was declared 
a Deacon of this Church. Mr. Child's answer was verbal, 
and still refused and y^ Meeting ended. 

Then came on y'^^ Town Meeting by adjournment, and they 
elected five Counsellors for this County. 

My .son Alexander and his Wife and young Child came (S: 
lodged here. Mr. Elijah Brigham privately spoke to me of 
his joining in Trade with Breck & would be glad to live 
here this winter. But I could not determine. 

7. I rode one of Alexander's Horses to y Funeral of Mrs. 
Brigham (wife of Mr. Gershom) & prayed there. When I 
returned, here was Mr. W". Spring from Brimfield. He brot 
a suit of Clothes for his son Billy. He dind with us, as did 
Mr. Elijah Brigham (who keeps Shop for Breck). Sister 
Cushing and ]\Ir. Daniel Goddard's wife dind here also, but 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 267 

she rode to Col. Brigham's and lodged there; y*^ re.st 
here. 

8. Mr. Spring changes his volume of Rojal Magazines, 
viz : Some parts of Vol. I and Vol. II. bound together, but 
many numbers missing for Osterval's Causes of y^ present 
Corruption. 

Mrs. Cushing, Alix and his Wife, dine with us, but p. m. 
they all leave us, t^ Billy Spring goes home for a while with 
his Father. 

9. My Circumstances are somewhat singular — the Diffi- 
cultys thence arising, not a few. I made some preparations, 
but did not near perfect them — and I have entered upon 
such Repetitions as I think I had best go on with— correct- 
ing and amending as I review them. 

10. It being Sacrament Day, I (after reading Ps. 106 
former part to verse 25) went on with my Discourse on i. 
Cor: II. 27-29 first part. I administered y^ Ordinance— 
the new Deacon Hawes officiating, without any special 
Ceremony as to his Induction. N. B. Deacon Dolliber of 
Marblehead, Mrs. Barrett & Mr. Stephen Stimson of Hop- 
kinton were present. Mr. Barrett and his Wife dind here, 
p. M. preached on Isa: 55. 12 to ye End of page 225. 

At eve read part of Mr. Flavell's seventh Sermon on Rev: 
3. 20. 

1 1 . This Day begins y^ 44th year since my Marriage 
with Mrs. P May God be praised for His great Good- 
ness ! May all our Sins throughout all the.se Years, espe- 
pecially y^ last, be freely forgiven ! May we both of us be 
sp'ly Espoused, & mystically united to Jesus Christ, and 



268 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

may God grant us Grace to discharge y'= Dutys incumbent 
on us in the Conjugal Connexion ! — 

I dind at Mr. Graves's with Deacon Dolliber, Alexander 
and his Wife, with their Child, from Framingham and lodge 
here. [Note in pencil. Married Sept. ii. 1737, he being 
34 years old, minus 5 days — see next page.] 

12. Sent a Letter to Mr. Buckminster of Medvvay by 
Sq' Singleterry^ of Sutton. My son Alex, wife and child 
p. M. undertake their Journey home. Messrs. Elijah and 
Moses Brigham dind here. p. m. Mr. Sumner came to 
see us, 

13. Rode to Mr. Abr'". Bond's : gave him a book, as ray 
Contribution to him under y«= Frown of Heaven. N, B. 
A number of Neighbors are at work in framing a Barn for 
him. 

I visited other Neighbours thereabout, and dind at Mr. 
Fro.st's. p. M. at Mr. Hananiah Parker's. 

^ Squire Singleterry, from whom the poud iu Sutton derived its 
name, was the first male child born in Sutton. He never attended 
school, but through his own persistent improvement of every 
opportunity which came to him, he became one of Sutton's most 
prominent men, and served for many years in the Legislature, be- 
sides holding other important offices. An anecdote is related of 
him which shows his character, by Rev. Geo. Allen, of Worcester, 
who knew him well. " During a season of revival iu the north 
parish, Mr. Samuel Waters, a manufacturer of hoes in what is now 
Millbury, being under concern of mind, and seeing Mr. Singleterry 
approaching, rushed out of his shop and called out, ' O Squire ! 
( ) vSquire ! What shall I do to be saved ? ' The Squire scarcely 
stopped the horse he was riding as he replied, ' Put more steel in 
vour hoes ! ' " 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 269 

14. With some difficulty as to an Horse I rode to Graf- 
ton and dind at Mr. Grosvenor's, and preached his Lecture 
in his House on Mat : 17.4. May God grant His Blessing ! 
I returned home safe at eve. N. B. A. Mellancholy story 
is current of Gen' Gates being defeated in y<= South. The 
particulars are not yet known. N. B. One Sibly is sent to 
Jayl at Worcester under vSuspicion of Murthering an In- 
fant. 

15. On Consideration of my finishing my seventy-seventh 
year, I was much employed in Retrospections, Humiliations, 
and Supplications. May y^ Lord graciously accept of my 
imperfect Petitions, pardoning &c. thro' Jesus Christ. Mr. 
Peter Whitney here and Mr. Daniel Adams jun'''^ Wife also 
is examined. 

16. This Day I begin my 78"' year. Thanks be to God, 
who hath sustained me ! I still continue a Monument of his 
sparing Mercy and Goodness. To His Name be all Praise 
and Glory ! See Natilitia^— Mrs. P being very much out 
of Health rode to Dr. Crosby's At eve came my Dauter 
Cushing from Ashburnham. Mr. Fitch, wife and Dauter 
from Connecticut, & p. m. Mrs. Dolly Rice. 



i"i78o 
Sept. 5. O. S. Westb. 
pro Natalitiias. 

I have passed such a year as I never saw before. The as- 
pects in Divine Providence have been very changing. Several times 
exceeding gloomy, particularly on account of the Successes of the 
british Forces especially in taking Charlestown in South Caroline 
and ye Ravages of y^ Salvages in yt Western and Northwestern 
Parts. Besides which this year has been very remarkable with me 
and my Family on ye Acct. of Labour on My Grounds, inasmuch 



270 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAX. 

17. Read Ps. 23 »S: 24, and on Consideration of my begin- 
ning a new year of my Life, I preached on Ps. 23.6, and P. 
M. on Isa : 55.12 and may y'^ great End and Design hereof 
be answered. 

At eve read again in Mr. Flavell- Neither my Wife nor 
Dauter Gushing were well enough to go to Meeting, either 
part of y' Day. 

18. Wrote to Dr. Cro.sby, by his son John. My Wife 
being no better. At eve came my son Forbes, but from 
Dedham, where he had preached yesterday — .brot with one 
of his Sons-in-law, Joseph Saunders, about 8 years old. They 
lodge. 

19. Mr. Forbes and little Boy left us to go to Brookfield. 
Dr. Cro.sby here to see Mrs. P . p. m. She grows very 

as not hiring a man to work statedly for me, I was forced to forego 
many Benefits, from ye Produce of my Land, and was obliged to 
run into Debt for ye unavoidable Work done. But God has upheld 
and preserved me and mine nevertheless unto this Day. For which 
I would heartil}- praise and bless His glorious Name;, and desire 
still to commit Myself and Mine to Him for vSulisistence, Protection 
and Supplys. But in peculiar implore divine Grace to furnish me 
for Christian and ministerial Duty and assist me in yi^^ right dis- 
charge of it. 

Will God be graciously pleased to remember my dear son Eben- 
ezer under all ye Hardships and Tryals of his Warfare ; and pro- 
vide for his Family in his Absence ! Make him useful in his place 
at Fish Kill and grant him in due time a Safe Return ! — 

May God mercifully regard ye severall states and conditions of 
ye rest of my Children particularly Alexander at his distance and 
under his difficulties; and Elias in his Youth and vSettiug-out in 
the world yt God might be his Guardian ^S: ijuicken him to ye due 
improvement of his Time and Talents ! " 



DIARY OF REV. EBKNEZER PARKMAN. 27 1 

sick, but it may be owing to some Pills which y'^ Doctor 
gave her. At eve, she continues ill and goes to bed. 

Mr. Gushing comes from y^ Cape, having been to see his 
Sister Stone at Yarmouth, & came back thro Rochester, 
Wrentham, & Sherbourn. 

20. Mr. Gushing last evening brot me from Mr. Moore, 
Shuckford's Condition vol. i. He also, having been with 
various Gentlemen in his Journey, discovers to me some of 
y^ probable Reasons of y*^ Dismission of Pres lyangdon. 

Mrs. P. somewhat better — Thanks to God for y^ Favour 
of Heaven to us ! p. m. Mrs. Fisk of Brookfield & her son 
(who belongs to College ) dind here. My son W". his Wife 
and Child John, came up from Concord unexpectedly. After- 
wards my Son Sam' and his Wife with their Baby, Sukey, 
came from Boston. They all lodged here. 

N. B. Mr. Brigham asked me whether it would suit me 
to have the Marriage of my Dauter to him to be tomorrow ? 
I asked him, where he intended to live? he repl5'ed " Here, 
if I should like it. " I answered that I was willing to do what 
was in my Power for him. Sent my Complements to his 
Father and Mother, & Request they would come — likewise 
his Brothers and Sisters. He acquainted me with his Desire 
to wait on Squire Baker and his I^ady with his Invitations 
to y^ Wedding, also y'= two eldest Dauters. To which I con- 
sented. My Dauter Cushing rode to Capt. Maynard's to 
invite him and his Wife. The Return was that Mrs. May- 
nard was confined with illness. 

21. Mrs. P. I hope is better. Sophy has unhappily a 
good deal of a cough. I had a most agreeable sight of ni}- 
children & their Consorts at Dinner, viz: W'" and Lydia, 



272 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



Mr. Gushing and Sarah, Breck and Suse, Sam^ and Sail}-, & 
Mr. Brigham with Sophy. To God be Praise and Glory ! 




CI.IJAH URIC.HAM. 



Towards evening according to Invitation, Jo.seph Baker 
E.sq. and Lady, Mr. Winslow Brigham and Miss Alice 
Gushing of Shrewsbury, Mr. Hazzletine and Miss Mindwell 
Brigham, Master Fisk and Miss Anna Brigham, and Mr. 
Josiah Brigham came to wait on y" Solemnity of the Mar- 
riage of Mr. Elijah Brigham to my Dauter Anna Sophia, 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 273 

which was performed, and after y'^ Covenant, Mr. Gushing 
prayed. Mrs. P. was not able to attend with us. 
N. B. I began to write Mr. Quincy. 

22. My son W™. and his Wife sat out earl}' for Concord. 
Mr. Cushing and his Wife when y*^ Day got up, for 

Shrewsbury. 

Dr. Crosby to see Mrs. P. p. m. Sam and Breck with 
their Wives wait on y^ Bridegroom and Bride, to Coll. 
Brighams. 

Mrs. P. has had a poor Day. At eve came Mr. Forbes 
and his little Boy, Jo Saunders. 

Mr. F. delivers me a letter from Col. Baldwin to his wife, 
containing an account of General Gates's Defeat. An 
extract from it I send to Mr. Quincy 

Mr. Forbes goes to see his Sister, y*^ Widow of his 
Brother Daniel. N. B. My Flax is spread — a large piece. 

23. My son Sam' and his Wife & Child left us. Sent 
my Letter by him to Mr. Quincy. Mr. Forbes came and I 
delivered him his first volume of Robin.son's Hist, of Scot- 
land. He and his Joseph Saunders left us to go to Concord. 

At eve came Mr. Grosvenor, requesting & expecting I 
would preach for him tomorrow. But I had engaged to 
preach at Northboro. He lodged here. 

N. B. Mrs. Persis Adams was here to acquaint me that 
she could not be ready for y^ Church Meeting next tuesday 
& prays it may be further adjourned to y^ 2"^ Thursday in 
November. 

24. Mr. Grosvenor to Northboro'. I rode to Grafton 
and preached on i Chron. 29. 15. a & p. m. Returned 
home at eve. Mr. Whitney preached here on Roms. 3. 7. 8. 



274 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

A & P. M. At Dinner were Doct. Crosby, & Mrs. IMaynard. 
N. B. Mr. Whitney read to y'^ Church a paper from me 
acquainting y^ Brethern with Mrs. Adams' Request : and 
there was no Objection, so that y^ Meeting of y'^ Church 
was adjourned to y^ time she desired. 

25. Breck is roused by an Information that one Wilhams 
who is Debtor to him in a considerable sum is seized and 
put into Jail. My son is gone to his House in N. Shrews- 
bury. 

I read Shuckford's Connection Vol. i. But I am sorry 
to see my Husbandry fast asleep, no body at work for me, 
though ni}' apples are rotting and wasting, and Flax seed 
on stry,(?) unwinnowed on y^ Barn Floor. 

Mr. Dan'l Adams, Ben. Tainter, Levi Warrin complain 
of y^ adjournment : came here, but nothing could be done. 
Mrs. P. something more comfortable. D. Gratis ! 

26. Am obliged to go frequently to Mr. Thad. Warrin's 
for Help, and today in particular, he left his own Bu.siness 
and came to mine. 

27. I obtained of My Neighbor Newton to send his Boys, 
John and Stephen to pick Apples and carry a Load, with 
Barrells to make Cyder at Mr. Frost's Mill. 

p M. Mr. Zebulon Rice and his Wife of Brookfield came 
to see us : and drank Tea here. 

28. Dr. Crosby came to desire me to befriend Mr. David 
Brigham of Shrewsbury, and attend y'' Funeral of his little 
son David who dyed suddenlj-^ of Worms Al" 3. 

I went with y^ Doctor and dind at his House, p. m. to 
Mr. Brigham' s and prayed and discoursed with y'^ Assem- 
bly : but I went not up to y'^ Interment. In returning I 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 275 

went into Mr. Coas's & Sibley's— at Mr. Noah Hardy's 
(where I was regaled with Tea &c. went to Mr. Isaac Park- 
ers &c. Mrs. P — somewhat better. 

Breck to Boston. N. B. The Dr. brot me No's i to 4 of 
y^ Rise & Progress of y^ American War. 

29. Wrote to My Dauter Baldwin with my returning 
her Husband's Letter concerning Gen'l Gates' Defeat & 
Flight. Sent y'" by Lt. Joseph Bond. Mr. Daniel Adams 
jr. here with his Wife's Relation : but carryed it back again. 

30. Mrs. Adams herself with her Relation tran-and 
subscribed. Mrs. P. — is exercised still with her distressed 
stomach, but not in so terrible a Degree. 

Mr. Thad Warrin very kind in coming to take Care about 
getting home my Cyder from Mr. Thos. Frost's. When 
his son John brot it, Josiah Brigham unloaded, and got it 
down to place in y*^ Cellar. 

October ij8o 

Did not read publickly. preached on Mai. i. ir. p m. 
repeat Sermon on Isaiah 55. 13. Admitted Mrs. El. Adams. 
At eve read Mr. Flavell's Serm. 7 on Rev. 3.20. 

N. B. To my sorrow, my Oxen have been breachy at 
Mr. Isaac Parker's and let in Cattle with y'", into his Corn- 
field. 

2. I rode to a number of Familys in y^ South viz. Capt. 
Morse's : Lieut, and Ensign Warrin' s : Mr. Elisha Forbes, 
where I dind, and he was very generous in a number of 
presents. I went also to y^ Widow Forbes's, where I had 
opportunity to see old Miss Stone, was also at Mr. Phin. 
Hardj-'s, but could find no Body there. 



276 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

N. B. Lt. Warrin kindly sent his young Man at eve, for 
two of my Calves to pasture y'" till weaned. 

3. I preached at Squire Baker's on Ezek. 20. 11. May 
it please God to accompany it with His Special Blessing ! 
May we have Grace to keep God's vStatutes & Judgments, 
which we ought to be thankful God has given us. Since if 
a man do y'" he shall even live in them. Squire got home 
from Boston at abt 3. yet sat out at Charlestown 25 minutes 
after 9 a. m. 

4. Mr. Nathan Maynard came with a 3^oke of Oxen, 
Dr. Hawes' Oxen & my own, having Squire's Plough, & 
Mr. Joseph Harrington's Lad, namely Aaron Miller & 
Capt. Wood's son Benj. to drive and they plowed part of 
my West Field & left it in a broken condition. 

5. A Storm of Rain. Read Ri.se and Progress of War. 

6. Dauter Baldwin sends me a packet of L,etters — one 
from Col. to her: 3 of Eben'' to her, which show him to have 
been in a distressed, disconsolate and now in a sick and 
weak Condition. I wrote a Letter to him. though I am not 
sure how I .shall send it. I am much perplexed and disap- 
pointed about getting my West Field ( y*^ rest of what I 
proposed) plowed. 

7. Intended to have gone to Shrewsbury, but rec'd a 
Line from Mr. Sumner neg. & recommending tomorrow 
come sennight. I took great pains to get another Day's 
plowing done, but it was all in vain, neither could I find 
time to prepare any New Discourse for tomorrow. 

8. Went on with reading in y^ Psalms — read Ps. 106 to 
24. And I proceeded in Repetition of Sermon on Isa. 55. 
13 A & p. M to page 251. which may God bless to our High- 
est Good! 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 277 

Rec'd a Letter from Master Nathan Fisk jun"^ of H. C. 
and another from Mr. Quincy. At eve Breck &c. came, and 
he read another part of Mr. Flavell on Rev. 3. 20. 

9. Jon" Frost with my Oxen, Oliver Death with two 
yoke of Oxen from Squire Baker's, and Joel Kenney to help 
to driving, plowed in y"^ West Field. 

10. Hear much of Beai's — One is killed by Capt. Jonas 
Brigham, & others. — weighed 300. I dind at Capt, Brig- 
ham's, I visit at Col. Brigham's. p. m. Mr. Eb"^ Forbush 
conducted me to y^ thick Swamp, where is y'= hideous Dwell- 
ing of Jacob Garfield,^ and I went in, tho with Difficulty, to 
see it. Garfield himself led my Horse out, & I visited at 
Mr. Tim. Warrin's — but my principal visit was to Mr. 
Daniel Stock well's young Child, which was sick — I prayed 
with it — and then went to y^ poor at y^ Work House : 

At my return home was informed that Mr. Fitch of Hop- 
kinton had been here, & brot home Dr. Stillingfleet's Orig, 
Sacrae. 

11. I am obliged to take unspeakable Pains to get a very 
little work done — have obtained Mr. Thad. Warrin to thrash 
a little Rye to Sowe, and he winnows it — 2 bushels &. Mr. 
Langton called here. 

12. In y^ Morning, Mr. Brigham and Sophy sat out for 
Rochester. I have writ by them to Mr. Moore, to Mr. Fitch 
and to Mr. Thos. Adams. Catechized at y'^ Meeting House. , 
had but 28 Boys. p. m had 34 Girls. And may God gra- 
ciously accompany y«^ Influence and Warning with His spe- 
cial Blessing ! 



1 There is an island in the swamp still known as Garfield's Island, 
and a cellar-hole marks the site of this " hideous dwelling." 



278 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Mr. TI10.S. Lamson here, to thrash today, but cannot ob- 
tain any more. 

13. I attended y^ Funeral of Mr. Stockwell's Infant & 
prayed. The Town met to choose a Representative for y'^ 
first Assembly of y^ New Government. Mr. John Harring- 
ton at eve, & pays all he was to collect. 

14. Mr. Eb'' Maynard very kind in sowing & harrowing, 
both yesterday till afternoon and today a. m. with his son 
and yoke of Oxen. He did it gratis. 

Deac. Wood is in a sad Contest with one Chafej^ who 
with his Wife & Child, boarded several months there, but 
refuses to pay him for it. I rode to Mr. Sumner's and 
lodged. 

15. I preached at Shrewbury. A. M. on Jer: 8. 20 — p m 
on Job. 31. 24 young Mr. Crosby prayed publickly. p. m. I 
appointed y* Communion and L,ecture there, and returned 
home at evening. Mr. Sumner rode to Westboro' in y^ 
Morning. Preached for me A. & p. m on i Pet: 2. 21. last 
clause — " left us an example &c." He baptized two Chil- 
dren, viz: Polly and Sam' Hall of Dan' Jr. and Elizabeth 
Adams. 

Mr. Sumner returned at eve. Col. Wheelock is come 
home. 

16. Mr. Kenney refuses to husk my Corn, tho I con- 
ceived he took my Field to y^ halves as Dr. Hawes did, who 
took y^ whole care of husking 5^^ Corn, & carrying it into 
the Corn Barn. However, we came to an agreement. I 
told him he should ask y*^ Neighbors to assist, in an after- 
noon, and tho I would not make an Entertainment, yet I 
would give y"^ some Drink. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 279 

17. I rode to East Sudbury to Minister's Meeting, at 
Mr. Smiths. (So it is called, tho at Mr. Bridge's House). 
Only Mr. Whitney absent. Mr. Smith very full of pain 

&c and P was Moderator & prayed. A Committee 

from Marlborough, about a Fast there, Another Committee 
from Bolton, with new Difficulties there. Before we broke 
up, Mr. Newell prayed. 

Next Meeting to be next April at y^ same place. 
I went to my son William's where all was well, and I 
lodged there in comfort and Health D. G. 

18. I payd W". an hundred Dollars for so much sent to 
Elias, last Winter, & he paid me Six Silver Dollars which 
I lent him some time ago. I returned to Westboro. On 
my way, dind at Col. Weeks' in Marlboro. Proceeded to 
Mr. Elizur Holyoke's, a joiner at Col. W"^— Col. Brig- 
ham's, & at Mr. Francis Barns' s. 

19. Mr. Kenney brot from y^ North Field my part of y^ 
Corn, and a number of Neighbors husked it out. Breck was 
very generous in treating y^ Huskers with Eiquor. 

Mr. Stephen Johnson and his Wife, from Lyne and their 
son Eliot of Watertown, with his new Wife, Mr. Johnson's 
Dauter, all lodged here. 

20. The Company leave us expecting to meet a number 
of Watertown people at Westown to dine there. 

Mr. Sam' Crosby preached my I^ecture on Luke 2. 11,12. 
After Lecture, Messrs. Hazletine and Fisk here at Tea &c. 
21. 

22. I preached a. m. on Mat. 26. 21-22 to p. 3. Admin- 
istered y'^ Sacrament. Mrs. Maynard at dinner, p m. on 



28o DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Rev. 5.5. At eve Mr. Brigham read another part of Mr. 
Flavell's Sermon 7 on Rev. 3. 20. 

23. The Widow Hill's little Son, Silas, of about 4 years 
old, very bad. I visited and prayed with him. After much 
Anxiety and Trouble, Capt. Wood's two sons work for me 
in my small Ingathering, Apples and Potatoes. 

24. The}' come again and finish Beeton field and Orchard. 
Rev. Mr. L^amson, returning from Connecticut, calls here 

& Ben Wood goes with my few Apples & Barrells at even- 
ing to Mr. Frost's. Breck cut his Foot with an Ax. 

25. We esteem this y^ Da}^ of y^ Commencement of y^ 
honorable Revolution. The Ne7(' Constitution of Government 
now begins The Election of Governor &c. 

It is exceedingly to be desired and prayed for, y* y^ minds 
of y*^ People were properly affected with the great Impor- 
tance of this so unexampled Time ! direct y*^ weighty Affairs 
of it and grant an happy Issue to His Glory and y'^ Public 
Weal ! — 

26. I have been so much disappointed by those I have 
spoke to to work for me y* I am forced to improve Capt. 
Woods' two Boys 

27. to plow for me. We try the new Horse my son 
Alexander sent me, & with my Oxen I have a sufficient 

Team for splitting (?) and harrowing in Rye. Mr. 

Brigham has returned I visit and prayed with little Silas. 

28. Lieut. Levi Warrin brot me a Barrell of Cyder, 
p. M. I rode to Hopkinton <S: Mr. Fitch came here, tho 
very rainy. 

29. I preached at Hopkinton on Prov. 18. 10. May 
God grant Success to my own Soul especially. At eve, I 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 28 1 

went to Mr. Barrett's and lodged there! Mr. Fitch returned 
from Westboro. & tells me y^ sick little Boy (Silas) dyed 
last night. N. B. Ye Sad News from y^ North West is 
confirmed. Mischief done at Royalton, Schoharie &c. 

30. I took some time in viewing Mr. Barrett's Books, 
dind at home & Mr. Sam Crosby with me. p. m. attended 
y^ Funeral of Silas Hill, a very large Company there. 

31. Breck and Brigham have a drove of Oxen brought 
to sell. I read. Mr. Thos. Hunter's Reflections on hd Ches- 
terfield, very just and most elegant. 

November. 

The Month comes in with a Violent Storm. In some 
part of y^ Day rained hard ; but it soon turned to snow, 
and the continuance of it brings on a very winter pros- 
pect. Thro' divine Favour, we have Wood, Shelter and 
Clothing. 

2. Wintry Scenes. Earth covered with Snow. Cold & 
tedious. 

Mr. Cushing & Mrs. Cotton from Ashburnham, came this 
Morning .from Shrewsbury, and dind here. Mr. Cushing 
p. M. returned to Shrewsbury. Mrs. Cotton lodged here. 
N. B. Sent Hunter's Reflections on I^d Chesterfield's Let- 
ters to Dr. Crosby p Mr. Cushing. 

3. Mr. Brigham waited on Mrs. Cotton to Hopkinton. 
Sent Mrs. Abbe Vol. 2 of De Foe by Mrs. Cotton. N. B. 
It was brot me by Dr. Stimson some time agoe. 

As night came on, Elias with Letters from Br. Breck 
from Springfield. He brings home five young Cattle from 
Coi's Hill. The two largest Steers have been taken out of 
Pasture by Alexander some time ago. 



282 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Breck sent Mr. Th. Lamsoii, who cutts wood for me at y" 
Door. 

4. Elias goes and fetches my 12 Sheep from Sq. Baker's 
Pasture. N. B. The principal Weather is missing, and a 
strange one is brot in his stead. 

5. Preached a. m. on Rev. 5. 6. Mr. Fisk and Cousen 
Maynard dind here. p. m. on John 10. 11. I stayed y^ 
Church and read y^ lyctter from Bolton, requesting our Help 
in Council. When proposed to y^ Church there was no vote. 
There were but few Members, but there were but 4 Hands. 
In y^ eve, Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavell on Rev. 3. 20. Ser- 
mon 8. 

6. T/ie Toii'H Meeting. Granted my Wood and Capt. 
Maynard to cut and bring it. But as to Sallery, I dont per- 
ceive y' they have voted anything, but y^ naked Sum with 
y^ Courts Depreciation. 

Rev. Johnson & I,ady call here in their returning home. 

7. Mr. Gale was at eve thrown by his Horse and much 
hurt, but after a while returned home. Suse and Sophy ride 
to their Father Brigham's. Had some Converse with Capt. 
Fi.sher about y*^ Town's Transactions yesterday. M3' grand- 
children Isaac and Betsy Baldwin from Shrewsbury this 
morning came to see us. Isaac leads an Horse, besides one 
in his Surkey : these (with Elias's, Breck's and my own) 
make six Horses which are kept here this Night. Mr. Jon" 
F'^orbes here at eve. — talks of y'^ Doings of y*^ Town yester- 
day with great concern, — he speaks also of Mr. Benj. 
Fay^ & Mrs. Th. Whitney's contests. 

1 Benj. Fay seems to be always quarrelling with some one. March 
13. Mr. Parkman has recorded his sad contest with Col. Wheelock, 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 283 

8. The adjournment of y'' Town Meeting. By Advice I 
sent a written Message y' if they would grant me the Same 
Allowance of Depreciation which I was required by every 
one to pay for every Article, I would submit myself to be 
taxed. Thereupon y*^ Town chose a Committee to treat 
with me, viz. Capt. Maynard, Capt. Morse and Capt. Fisher. 

9. The Council at Bolton met. I had told y^ Church I 
did not incline to go. See y^ Result at y^ end of this Book. 

The Church met by adjournment to consider Mrs. Ad- 
ams' Case. The Woman was present but y^ Man, though 
warned was not, and therewith Mr. Adams' paper dated 
July 23 last. As to y^ Former, Mrs. Adams pleaded that 
she had not got her Evidences ready, but she would have 
spoke to her Husband, before y^ Church — but he was not 
there : which was to our Surprise, Since he knew that at 
this Meeting his own paper was expected to be read & con- 
sidered. It was declared that he was at y^ public Meeting 
when Rev. Mr. Whitney read my paper of Adjournment, 
(which was consented to by y^ Brethren) and he had reason 
to expect y' the Meeting upon these affairs would be now 
dissolved : The Pastor has also repeatedly told him he was 
not debarred from Church Meetings but was desired and 
expected to come. But since he was now absent, nothing 

about the chestnut tree. It was his affair with Capt. Johu Wood, 
upon which the foremost citizens and lawyers of Worcester had 
held their two days' sitting in the old church in May, and now he 
seems to be in another contest. 

In the French and Indian War he was captain of a company, later 
he is called lieutenant, he was selectman for eleven years and town 
treasurer for five. 



284 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

more could be done about his Paper, than to read it and 
then y'^ Letter sent to him which he was disturbed by, but 
which had nothing of grievous Nature in it : which being 
done, and nobody there to Sustain y^ Said paper, nor make 
Reply to y*^ Exceptions made against y^ palpable mistakes 
it was founded upon, it was voted to be dropped : — and see- 
ing that Mrs. Adams was now supposed to be trying for 
Relief in y*^ Civil lyaw, the Meeting was dissolved, upon 
which I prayed and gave y'' Blessing. At eve, Col. Silas 
Bailey here, returning from Rhode Island, his son Timothy 
dyd there & is buryd. 

10. Capt. John Wood was here upon y*^ Affair of his son 
Ben's living with me, and he wants that John shall live 
with my son Breck. Elias has set out early this morning 
for Boston. 

11. The Winter Weather continues. Elias returns from 
Boston between six and seven o'clock. He brings me from 
Sam' No 2 to 6 (5 Books) of y^ American War. I have read 
4. He brot also Dr. Evans which Sam' had to read, but now 
returns. 

12. Preached again on John 10. 11. p. m. on Mai. i. 11. 
Cousen Maynard dind here. At eve Mr. Brigham read 
Flavell on Rev : 3. 20 part of Serm 8. 

13. A committee from y*^ Town came to treat with me 
about my Sallery. They were Capt. Maynard and Capt. 
Morse, but Capt. Fisher, who was the third (I think) was 
not with them. Their errand was to know what I appre- 
hended my Sallery should be. I answered y' the Covenant 
was 55^ Lawful Money, to be made i^ood to its then J^alue. 
And as to what was now due, the Depreciation which now 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 285 



an 



I have actually paid, and am required to pay is partly 
hundred and eight : to some an hundred, & to others 90. If 
the Town would allow me the Medium, that is, an hundred, 
then out of Pity to y'^ People in this Day of their Trouble, I 
will deduct my Proportion to bear so much of y^ Charge of 
y'^ War, for y^ present year. My grandson, Isaac Baldwin 
came this evening from his Tour to Newbury, Dummer 
School &c. 

14. The Town meet by adjournment The Committee 
carry my Answer (as above) to y"\ After meeting, two of 
the Comittee come, (Captns Maynard & Morse) and acquaint 
me y* the Town had granted me for this year the sum of 
^4000, which though it was 1500 short of my just due) I 
accepted on consideration of their Distresses : & thanked 
ym (^ye Committee) for their Pains in y<= Affair. Capt. 
Fisher came in when y^ rest were going away: but he 
stayed not. 

15 My Baldwins (Isaac and Betsey) leave us to return 
home. I wrote by y'" to their mother. Capt. John Woods 
moves and his Wife & Children except Ben who is to live 
with me. Capt. Wood gave me a Barrell, almost full of 
Cyder. 

N. B. Ben is to live with me for y'^ sake of getting 
Learning. — to Satisfie me,, for Instruction, Board, Washing 
& Lodging, he must tend my Cattle, & cut wood, needful 
chores, go of Errands &c. & he must tarry with me till 
next April. 

At eve had a message from one Mrs. Mary Nottingham, 
who lies sick at Deac. Wood's, to make her a visit. I went 



286 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

accordingly and discoursed with her & praj-ed with her as 
one extremely bad, & in a Dangerous Condition. 

1 6. I went to Coll. Wheelock's, Capt. Fisher's, Squire's 
— called to see Mrs. Nottingham, who is no better. Mr. 
Harrington with ni)' Team fetches me a Cedar Pole for my 
West Stanchells. Mr. James Gibson here to buy my young 
Oxen. Thad. Wait was marryed to Sally Morse. 

17. Mrs. Eunice Hill of Douglass here ; I sent by her to 
Col. Caleb Hill of Douglass (who married Mrs. Ruth Hicks) 
to remember their aunt Champney. At eve, Mr. Beriah 
Ware in Trouble. 

18. Joel and Gardner,-^ Sons of Mr. Isaac Parker, have 
brot home a Calf, which their Father has kept a great while 
for me. 

19. Heavy rain, few at Meeting. I preached on Mai. i. 
12-13. Mrs. Maynard dind here. p. m. I preached on 
Prov: 18.10. At eve, Mr. Brigham read in Flavell's Works 
-Rev : 3 20. 

20. Elias setts out for Springfield. I wrote by him to 

1 Gardner Parker, born March 14, 1772, a boy at this time, kept 
his name alive in Westborough by starting a mill at the place we 
now call Parker's Folly, and building a large dam there. He was 
a clockmaker by profession, having studied with the Willards of 
Grafton. In 1809 he built an organ into the old meeting-house. 
His brother Joel, two years older, was more or less prominent in 
local politics. Isaac Parker lived in the Sixth School Squadron as 
it was divided in 1789— the same as Beriah Ware, Gershom Brig- 
ham, Capt. Maynard and John Fessenden. Joel owned the mill on 
the old mill road, the raising of which Mr. Parkman attended in 
June of this year. It is spoken of now by our older citizens as Park- 
er's Mill. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 287 

Br. Breck.^ The Town meets again b}^ adjournment to set- 
tle their Accounts. I visited Mrs. Nottingham again. Mas- 
ter Fisk here at eve & lodges here. 

21. Mr. David Kellogg, preacher at Framingham dind 
here, but I was obliged to leave him to Mr. Brigham, who 
was his acquaintance, p. m. I preached at Mr. Jon" Childs, 
to y^ Widow Smith, on Ps : 73. 26, which may God bless ! 

Rec'd IvCtter from Mr. Moore of y'' g"' inst. 

22. Very stormy, or I should have visited Mr. Abijah 
Gale, who has not got well from his Lameness. Read Hist, 
of y^ American War, No 5. 

23. Mrs. Nabby Martyn has my Horse to ride to Bolton. 

1 Rev. Robert Breck, of Springfield, was the oldest sou of Rev, 
Robert Breck, of Marlborough, and uext older in age to Mrs. 
Parkmau, being three years her senior. He was settled in Spring- 
field after a bitter controversy as to his soundness, which was started 
by a sentence in a sermon he had preached at New London. 

" What," he asked, " will become of the heathen who never heard 
of the Gospel? I do not pretend to say, but I cannot but indulge a 
hope that God, in his boundless benevolence will find out a way 
whereby those heathen who act up to the light they have, may be 
saved." 

This was considered alarming, and his former life was thoroughly 
sifted for further evidence of unsoundness in character or doctrine. 
He was finally ordained in 1736, after the intervention of various 
councils, courts and even of the legislature itself. 

The historian of Springfield, in speaking of this combat between 
Breck and Jonathan Edwards, says: "Scholars have since bowed 
down to the genius of Edwards, but the people live the principles 
of Breck." 

The Brecks evidently lived in some little style in Springfield, for 
Mrs. Breck's fame rests on her having owned the first carpet in 
the town. 



288 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Mrs. P. employs Mrs. Garfield to spin for her from Day to 
Day. & Pamela helps her. Ben follows his writing &c. 

24. Mr. Jon" Childs brings and gives a Barrell of Cyder 
& a Bag of Apples. Mr. Hezekiah Maynard of Marlboro 
came and had two Bushels of Rye for y"^ two Bushel of Malt 
which I had of him last Spring. I wrote by him to Mr. 
Elizur Holyoke. 

25. A great Storm of Rain, Wind &c. Towards night it 
held up : and Miss Nabby Martyn returned on my Horse 
from Bolton. 

26. I have been so many ways interrupted, & my mind 
discomposed that I could make but slender preparations, & 
therefore I went on with y*^ last Sabbath subject both a & 
p. M. but took those words for my Text, in Prov. 21. 31, 
last clause ; with new Introduction. 

Mr. Fisk & Mrs. Maynard dind with us. At eve, Mr. 
Brigham. read y"^ rest of Mr. Flavell's 8"' Sermon on Rev: 
3. 20. God forgive my Dullness and unprofitableness. 

27. Robert Wightman came to thrash for me. Mr. Ha- 
zletine wants Henry's Exposition. Mr. Cornelius Waters 
came — is with Mr. Brigham, lodges here. 

28. Mr. Waters and Mr. Brigham go to Boston. Wrote 
to Mr. Moore. N. B. Wightman was in y"-' Burgoine Army 
at Saratoga. 

Mr. Jonas Bond and his Wife here in their way to Cam- 
bridge. Coll. Brigham and Wife make a visit to both 
Houses. Mrs. Baker very generous, visiting and bringing 
with an open Hand. I was called to Mr. Barker's, his Dau- 
ter Betsey being very ill. I went ; & prayed with her. 

\'isit Mrs. Nottingham & prayed there. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 289 

29. Wightmaii here. Mr. Thad. Warrin and his son 
John came at almost ten o'clock a. m & carted Muck. 

30. Was at Neighbor Newton's where was his Br. Tim- 
othy of Hardwick, who gave me a sorrowful account of his 
son & son-in-law's Captivation^ by y'^ Indians last August 
from Barnard's Town, & their wives pregnant, exposed to 
y^ woods, destitute : but now at Hardwick. Mr. Brigham 
returned from Boston in y*^ Night. 

December ij8o 

Rob. Wightman is so successful in his getting out and 
cleaning y*^ Rye that in these few Days he has thrashed and 
winnowed (as he has counted) 40 Bushels besides that he 
plowed for me half a Day, which he gave in ; & he carry s 
away 4 Bushels for his wages. 

I was called away to see Betty Barker, as being near her 
End. I went — found her very bad, of bilious Fever. She 
was too delirious to converse much. I prayed with her, and 
a number more. Called to see Mrs. Nottingham, who seems 
to be in more hopeful state. 

2. I find it a very difficult thing to write Sermons now 
in my old Age from what I did formerly ; and cannot thro 
Dimness and Trembling, make Despatch as then. As my 
outward Man. decays, I ought to labour to have my inner 
man to be renewed Day by Day. 

ijohn Newton "was taken prisoner by the Indians Aug. 9, 1780, 
and carried to Canada where he was detained until the next Spring, 
when he escaped and returned to his family after suffering great 
hardship." — History of Hardzvick. 



290 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

Mr. Jonas Bond and his Wife returned home, but I saw 
y"' not. 

3. A very cold stormy tedious Day ; and it was doubt- 
ful whether we could attend y"' Solemnities proposed : yet 
the Snow which fell was not very deep. I attempted, and 
God was pleased to carry me through. A. M. on Mai: i. 13 
"And they brot that which was torn" &c. Administered 
y'^ Lord's Supper to y^ few which came. Mrs. Maynard 
dind with us. p. m. on Rev: 3. 2. i. May God graciously 
forgive, accept & bless! At eve, Brigham, Flavell on Rev. 
3. 20 Sermon g former part. 

4. A great Disappointment arose by means of nine young 
Cattle of Squire's which broke in upon and destroyed a 
great part of my Straw which was designed for several 
uses : Harrington lays up a part of it on y^ Hovel and Cart 
Shed — but, y^ Cattle very troublesome, and a sad interrup- 
tion to me after they had been driven away, 

5. Mr. Corn. Waters and Miss Sarah Shepherd going 
from Newtown to Sutton call & dine here. Mr. Corn. Big- 
low came for his Rye, to pay him for his reaping. He re- 
quires 4 Bushels and half, but releases a peck. 

6. Deacon Hawes brings me from Mr. Cranch another 
volume (y^ 5th) of Biog. Diet. Letters F. & G. 

7. Thanksgiving. Preached on Jer: 3. 23 last clause, 
which may God graciously prosper! Betsey Barker is dead. 
Mr. Elisha Livermore was marry'd to Miss Lucy Maynard, 

8. A cold and Hoarseness increased to such a Degree 
upon me that (it being also a Wet Day) I did not go to y^ 
Burial of Betsey Barker, who dy'd on Wednesday morning, 
and Mr. Barker sent for me to-dav: but I had no audible 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 29 1 

Voice. May God graciously teach and comfort y'" and y*^ 
surviving Children! 

9. In compliance with Mr. Corn. Waters Request, I 
being somewhat better & recovering my voice in some 
measure, I rode to Southboro' and Mr. Stone to Framing- 
ham. I went also to y'^ Widow Wood's, on an affair of my 
Wife's to bespeak some weaving. Lodged at Mr. Stone's. 

I o. A wet Day but (thro divine Goodness) I felt so well 
that I went to Meeting and preached (at Southboro') a. & 
p. M. on Ps. 124 Several verses, using with some variations, 
part of y^ Introduction to y^ late Thanksgiving Sermon. 
May God grant Success! Mr. Stone returned at eve. It 
was too rainy for me, and they urging, I stayed there. 

11. In my way home called at Mr. Gale's, Got home 
safe D. G. Understand that Mr. Grosvenor preached for 
me: & on Rev. 3. 2. Capt. Wood dind here. I visited at 
Mr. Barker's, under their Bereavement, and went to Squire 
Baker's. 

12. Mr. Brigham goes to Boston. Wrote by him to 
Mr. Thos Adams. Ben Wood at his Father's Desire, goes 
to Worcester to attend at Court, as a Witness. 

13. My Hovel, overloaded with straw, in y'= late Storm 
of Rain, broke down : Mr. Lamson and Stephen Maynard 
kindly came and repaired it. They dind here. I read in 
Biog. Diet. Vol. 5. F. G. 

14. Mr. Brigham returned in y" Night from Boston and 
he 

15. delivers me a letter from Mr. Quincy of y^ 6"^. Rev. 
Mr. Israel Evans, a Chaplain to Gen' Poor's Brigade, rec- 
ommended to me by Mr. Grosvenor, came and lodged here. 



292 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

He relates how Gen' Washington was in Arnold's plot, was 
designed to be Surprised and taken, at Col. Beverly Robert- 
son's House in Philip's Manor, over against West Point. 

i6. Mr. Evans left us to go to Concord. N. B. He 
presented me his Sermon delivered at Easton Oct. 17, 1779 
to y^ Officers & Soldiers of y^ Western Army, after their 
Return from an Expedition against y^ five Nations of hos- 
tile Indians, published at y^ particular Request of y^ Gen- 
eral (Sullivan) & y*^ Field Officers of y'^ Army, printed at 
Philadelphia 

17. A. M. on Rev. i. 3. Mrs. Maynard dind. p. m. on 
I Cor: 10. 4 Mr. Silas Brigham dismissed. Mr. Brigham 
read Mr. Flavell at Even. 

18. I attended y^ Funeral of old Mr. Isaac Woods. 

p. M. was a Town Meeting to raise Men for y^ Continental 
Army — to provide Beef for y'' Army. &c. 

19. Mr. Beeton has made a Crane for our West Room 
Chimney, which I have put up. 

Breck & Suse and little Hannah are gone, tho it is a 
lowery Day, to Col. Brigham's. Breck designing to go to 
Boston. Constable Maynard now first paid me any peny of 
y^ Grant made last July, paid £']oi.i6. 

20. Took a walk among my Neighbors to reckon with 
y'", that I might pay them for their Work for me, last Sea- 
son, this being y" first time that I have had any Money to 
do it. I went to Mr. Kenny's, dind at Mr. N. Maynard' s, 
was at Mr. Thad, Warrin's. Visit Mrs. Nottingham, who 
is yet ill and prayed with her. Two Letters from Camp from 
H^ben' and from Col. Baldwin of Nov. 14, with Gen' Orders. 

21. Mr. George Morey of Norton preaches here and 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 293 

dines With US. He informs me that there is a Fa.st at Marl- 
boro', in order to their Calling a Minister. Mr. Eben 
Grosvenor being there at present. 

22 Mr Dan' Miller of Fitz-William dmd here. Mr. 
Brigham returned from Boston, & says Mr. Ripley recovers. 

Town Meeting by Adjournment to endeavor to raise 
Recruits for y^ Continental Army; also Quota of Beef & 
to purchase Corn for ye payment of 3 months men. At eve 
Mr Fisk who keeps y^ East School, here. 

Capt. Edmund Brigham here, on his Humihation. 

24 Dark weather again. A. M. Mai: i. 13. last part 
and 14. former part. Mrs. Maynard dind with us. p. m. 
on I Cor: 10. 4. "And that Rock was Christ." 

Mr. Brigham at eve still reads in Flavell on Rev. 3. 20. 
I read after Exercise, Pierce's Vindic. of Dissent. 

2s In morning Family Exercise read Luke i. 25 to y 
End & Ch. 2. divers parts, which peculiarly respect y 
Nativity of our B. L. and give Thanks therefor. Breck 
and his Family dind with us. O that we might uprightly 
and most gratefully join with all true Christians, and with 
all our Souls magnifie y^ Lord, rejoicing forever m God our 

Saviour! — 

26 Winter cold. Sharp, Frost: difficult stirring, it is so 
rough, icy, with y^ Snow that has covered y^ Ground ; but 
we are favoured with Health, Food, Raiment, Fuel & Hab- 
itation, &c. D. G. Read Biogr. Diet. F. ^^ ^ . 

27 Am forced to keep House by reason of y"^ Sharp Air. 
Mr Brigham brot Mrs. Jotham Bush to dine with us. I 
read, as yesterday, Biogr. Dictionary, now part of G. 



294 DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 

28. Several Neighbours came & killed 1113^ largest Hog. 
They were Messrs. Thad Warrin, Sol Batherick & Caleb 
Harrington. They would not stay to dine with us. The 
Hog weighed 316 pounds. At eve, Master Fisk here, N. 
B. Breck brings in a Letter from Eben"" at Fishkill. 

29. 

30. 

31. I preached a. m. on Mai : 1.14 the latter part, & p. 
M. on Eccl. 12.13. It is deeply to be regretted that those 
great and Serious Subjects have so slender Effect upon our 
Minds, Since they do so nearly, so inf.ly concern us !^ 

I have great Reason to be astonished at myself, that I am 
so far below what I ought to be ! I beseech God most gra- 
ciously to awaken me to a proportionable Exertion ! 

At eve Mr. Brigham read Mr. Flavell on Rev. 3. 20. 

y' I might have a Frame of Spirit suited to y^ Close of 
y^ Year, & that I might have a lively Apprehension of y^ 
Close of Life, y' I may be found ready for it. 

We know of uo later volume of the Journal. 

The last entry in any book that we have was written by Mr. Park- 
man under the date of Sept. 5, O. S. 1782 in the Natalitia — 

" I have still fresh Cause to praise and extol ye name of ye most 
High who endures me and permits me to live in His World, to en- 
joy innumerable Advantages and especially to enjoy both ye Day 

1 These last sermons on this last day of the year were preached 
from the texts : — 

" For I am a great King, saith the Lord of Hosts, and my name 
is dreadful among the heathen " — and in the afternoon — 

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter; I'ear God 
and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 295 

& ye Means of Grace-would therefore offer up a sacrifice of Praise 
and Thanks to His glorious Name ! 

That my Senses have been continued in such a Measure : and 
particularly That my Light has not been utterly taken away-but 
that I can in such a Measure both read & write ; that especially 
the Day and Means of Grace are continued, that I am yet permitted 
to Serve in ye Sanctuary and have my Furneture & Ability for it 
(May I myself savingly profit thereby \) 

But while I have been thus highly indulged, O what Ingratitude 
& Unworthiness I have been chargeable with. 

Therefore " 

As he turned the page he found he had written some items on the 
other side-there was no more room in the book. He commenced 
on its first page in 1727-he had now-an old man-reached the 

last. , 

He lived but a short time after this birthday, dying on the 9th of 

December. 

An article in the Worcester Spy reads :— 

" Westborough Dec. 16. 1782. 

" On Monday evening the 9th inst. departed this Life that aged 
and venerable man of God, the Reverend Ebenezer Parkman, pas- 
tor of the Church of Christ in this place, in the 8oth year of his age 
and the 59th of his ministry, and this day his remains were decently 
and honorably interred. He was a gentleman and a scholar, a 
good divine and real christian. He was a lover of religion and of 
learning: a lover of the college in Cambridge (where he had his 
education) and an honour to it ; a lover of good men & given to 
hospitality. He loved his brethren in the ministry, & was an orna- 
ment to the order. He was a friend to his country, and to these 
churches and a firm supporter of their order & constitution, & op- 
posed all attempts to subvert the same. By nature, education & 
grace, he had much done for him to furnish him for the various 
services of the pastoral office ; and he was diligent & eminently 
faithful in improving all his gifts for the glory of God & the good 
of his people. He had a singular talent in private conversation ; 



296 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 



his communications were always edifying & ministered grace to 
the hearers. 

" He took heed to himself and unto his doctrine and continued 
therein to the very last ; and we believe (through grace) has saved 
himself and many who heard him. Having obtained help of God, 
he continued his ministerial labor for more than thirty of the last 
years of his life, without any intermission, through bodily infirmi- 
ties, until Six Sabbaths before his death. 

" His widow and children with a beloved flock, and an extensive 
acquaintance mourn his departure; But sorrow not as they who 
have no hope, for they believe he has gone to rest : which rest re- 
maining for the people of God was the subject of his last discourse 
to his people. The great head of the church has said. Be thou 
faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of glory." 




THE P.\RKMAN GRAVES. 



DIARY OF REV. EBENEZER PARKMAN. 297 

Mr. Parkman's grave — the only oue in Memorial Cemetery with 
"a horizontal slab, has been protected in recent years by an iron 
fence. For many years it was used by the boys of Westborough as 
a convenient table for their games, or for a seat in the rare moments 
when they sat. The Inscription reads ; — 

" Here lies deposited 
the mortal part of that mau of God 
the Revd Ebenezer Parkmau A. M. 

who was born Sepi". 5. 170.^ ; 
ordained the first Bishop of the Church 
in Westborough, October 28th 1724; 
and died on the ninth of December 17S2 
having completed the 79th year of his age 
on Septr. 161I1 & the 58 year of his ministry 
on November 8th preceding. 

He was formed by nature and education to 

be an able minister of the New Testament, 

and obtained grace to be eminently faithful 

in the work of the Lord : 

He was a firm friend to the faith, order and 

Constitution of the New England Churches. 

He was a learned pious good man 

full of the Holy Ghost, & faith unfeigned ;— 

and answered St. Paul's description 

of a Scripture Bishop, being "blameless 

Vigilant, 'Sober, of good behaviour, 

given to hospitality, Apt to teach." 

Be thou faithful unto death. 
And I will give thee a Crown of life 
Says Christ. 



APPENDIX. 



An Inventory of the Goods & Chattels, Rights & Credits 

enezer Parkman, late of Westborough, Clerk, deceased 

£. 
His Ivibrary, including as well single Sermons 

and pamphlets as bound Books, - - - - 80. 

His wearing Apparel, given to his Son Ebenezer in 

his last Will and Testament, including a Golden) 

Ring, Sleeve Buttons and Shoe Buckles 
Pewter ib 60 weight . . . . - 

A brass Kittle 36/ two small do 6/ 
A brass Skillet 6/ brass Skimmer 1/ 
Standing Caudle Stick 24/ two brass Candle Sticks 2/6 
Five iron Candle Sticks 2/ three pair Snuffers 2/ 
Tin Tunnel /4 two tin Dippers /4 Canister 1/6 
A Spit 2/ Gridiron 2/8 A Baster /8 . . - 

A dripping Pan 4/ Toasting Iron 1/6 Skewer /6 - 
A large Iron Pot 5/ Small do 2/ Iron Kittle 3/6 - 
Small iron Kittle 2/ Iron Skillet 2/ - - - 
Warming Pan 7/ Six Pattie Pans 2/ - - - 
Tea Kittle 5/ flesh Fork /6 Bellows 1/ - 
Hand Irons fire, Shovel & Tongs in ye Kitchen - 
Earthen Ware 10/ Coffee Pot 1/ Pepper Box /2 
Pair Pincers 1/ two Gimblets /6 Awls /8 
Knives and Forks 3/, Dish Cover 2/6 Cullender 1/6 
Three Silver table Spoons 9/ Seven tea Do 8/ 
A vSilver Cup 5/ i sett china Cups & Saucers 6/ - 
3 Cream coloured Bowls 3/ cream cup /3 
A Shugar Bowl /4, three delf Plates 1/6 Mugg 1/ 
Block tin tea pot 2/ Table Linnen 45/ - 
I great Chair 3/ Six lath baskt Chairs 24/ 
9 black Chairs 15/ five leather bottomed Do 20/ - 



of Eb- 
S. D. 



S 14. 


6. 





- 4- 


10. 





2. 


2. 





0. 


7- 





6 I. 


6. 


6 


0. 


4- 





0. 


2. 


2 


0. 


5- 


4 


0. 


6. 





0. 


10. 


6 


0. 


4- 





0. 


9- 





0. 


6. 


6 


0. 


12. 


4 


0. 


II. 


2 


0. 


2. 


2 


0. 


7- 





0. 


17- 





2. 


II. 





0. 


3- 


3 


0. 


2. 


10 


2. 


7- 





I. 


7- 





I. 


15- 






APPENDIX. 



299 



6 low back Do 18/ Six Kitchen Do 9/ - 
2 Pails 2/ a Mortar & Pestle 2/ - - - - 
Best Bed, Bedding, bedstead & Cord 
Best Bedding & Bedstead in the front Chamber - 
Best Bedding, Bedstead & Cord in back Do - 
Best Bedding, Bedstead & Cord in the Bedroom - 
Trundle Bed & Bolster 18/ - - - - - 
55 Maps and Pictures together with Atlas (so called) 
(This "Atlas so-called " is now in the possession of Mr. 
Henry D. Staples, of Westborough.) 
Study Chamber i Desk large 18/ Do small 8/ Book- 
case 15/ -------- 

1 Press /6 Sett Shelves 6/ Cabinet 12/ one Table 2/ 
Pair Bellows 3/6 Prospect Glass 6/ Slate 2/ - 

2 Pair Hand Irons 4/ Tobacco Tongs 3/6 
Shovell & Tongs 2/6 Gun & Accoutrements 16/ - 

West Great Chair & Cushing 6/ Table large 14/ 
Room Tea Table 6/ looking Glass 28/ - 



Bedroom. Wooden Chair & round stand 2/" 
Square table 4/ ---..-- 

Round Table 2/ Steelyards 12/ Shovell & Tougs 4/ 

Carried over. 

Brot over - ....... 

Small looking glass 2/ old Chest with Drawers 8/ 
Part of a Suit of Curtains 8/ - - - - - 
Five pair old Sheets 18/ Seven good Sheets 70/ - 
5 Pair Pillow Cases 8/ Knapkins 13/ 

Back Sole leather & Calf Skin 16/ 

Chamber. Saddler's Tools 2/ Raisors 1/ Bdls 2/8 

One large Wheel 2/8 two foot Wheels 6/ 
A Meal Sieve /6 Bread Trough /8 

Cider Barrels, Meat Tubs & old Casks - 



II. 

7- 



0. 


6. 





0. 


18. 





148. 


10. 


9 


/• 


S. 


D. 


148. 


10. 


9 


0. 


ID. 





0. 


8. 





4- 


8. 





I. 


I. 





0. 


16. 





0. 


5- 


8 


0. 


8. 


8 



I- 5- 



300 APPENDIX. 

/: vS. D. 

2 Doz. Glass Bottles 12/ nine Square Do 9/ - - - i. i. o 

I Square Table 12/ A Flute 2/ a Jack 4/ . . - o. 18. o 

A Meal Chest & Churn - - - - - - - o. 6. o 

Tramels & Hooks in ye Kitchen - • - - - o. 4. o 

Three Axes 7/ Beetle & Wedges 4/ - - - - o. 11. o 

Seven old Scythes, Snath & Tackling - - - - o. 8. o 

Pick Ax and Hatchet 1/6 Garden Hoe 1/6 - - - o. 2. 6 

Cart & Wheel 80/ Wheel Barrow /6 - - - - 4. 2. 6 

Iron Bar 8/ Plough Irons 6/ - - - - - - o. 14. o 

Old Iron 5/ Scythe Snath /8 - - - - - - o. 5. 8 

Curtain Rods 6/ Hand Irons (Dogs) 2/ - - - o. 8. o 

A Draught Chain 5/ ------- o. 5. o 

Rye Meal & Indian Corn i. 12. o 

A Horse /j. 10 Sadie & Stirrups 18/ - - - - 8. 8. o 

I four year old Stear 80/ i pair 3 year old Do 90/ - 8. 10. o 

I Cow 100/ Young Do 9/ i Heifer 45/ - - - - 11. 15. o 

One Silver Watch - - - - - - - - 3. o. o 



200. 4. II 

The Mansion House, Barn, Corn Barn and other \ 

small Buildings together with fifteen acres of land > 300. o. o 
nigh ye Same J 

Eight Acres of Interval (so-called) 80. 

The Island (so-called) & 4 acres adjoining 50. 

The Newton Meadow (so called) 6. 

Pine Lot (so called) 34- 

About 5 acres of Swamp — 8. 

About 7 acres Cedar Swamp — 7. 



I685. 4- II 
Westborough, June 20, 1783 
James Crosby \ 

Joseph Baker - Apprizers. 

Stephen Maynard J 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Parkman Coat-of-arms. 

Flaggon and Baptism Bason, 

Dea. Tainter's House, . 

Old Cook House, 

Sam'i, Forbush House, . 

Hannah Breck's Wedding Slippers, 

Wigwam Tree, 

House of Rev. Isaac Burr, . 

Paul Dudley, .... 

Hugh Henderson, broadside, 

The Parsonage, 

The Arcade 

Harvard College, . 

Breck Parkman, 

Breck Parkman's Shop, 

Stephen Maynard House, 

Stephen Maynard Chimney, 

Gale Tavern, . 

Lieut. Forbush House, 

Forbes Homestead, 

Joseph Sumner, 

Peter Whitney, 

Sumner Houses, 

Sam'l Parkman, 



Page 
Frontispiece 
VII 
12 

i6 

17 

22 

24 
31 

33 
46 
50 
53 
56 
60 
61 
63 
65 
69 

73 
87 
88 
90 
95 
100 



302 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



First Davis House, 
Madam Hannah Parkman, 
Thos. Whitney House, 
Eli Whitney House, 
Judge Edmund Quincy, 
Gershom Brigham House, 
Haskell House, 
Elias' Table, 
A Parkman Sermon, 
Peter Whitney's House, 
Elijah Brigham, 
Parkman Graves, 



142 
153 
154 

174 

193 
202 
209 
217 

238 
272 
296 



INDEX. 



Abercrombie, Robert, 56. 
Abington, 161. 
Acock, Wm., 79. 

Adams, Daniel, 135, 163, 164, 165, 166, 176, 177, 178, 184, 225, 230, 

235- 239. 252, 255, 263, 274, 283. 
Adams, Daniel, Jr., 269, 275, 278. 
Adams, Eliphalet, 92. 
Adams, Elizabeth, 277, 278. 
Adams, Hannah, 248. 

Adams, Persis, 167, 173, 187, 230, 234, 239, 263, 273, 283. 
Adams, Peter, 92. 
Adams, Polly, 278. 
Adams, Sam. H., 278. 

Adams, Thos., 137, 140, 147, 233, 248, 277, 291. 
Alexander, Caleb, 113, 114, 181. 
Allen, Eben'r, 149. 
Amsden, Abrm., 28. 
Amsden, Joseph, 28. 
Andover, 115. 
Andrews, Benj., 84. 
Andrews, Betty, 178. 
Andrews, David, 264. 
Andrews, G., 203. 
Andrews, Hannah, 254. 
Andrews, Thos., 72, 144, 145. 
Arcade, 43, 51, 53, 103. 

Ashburnham, 39, 125, 134, 157, 158, 163, 173, 174, 183, 184, 185, 189, 
212, 231, 233, 239,- 240, 263, 269, 281. 
Assabet, 229. 
Atwell, Mrs. Pearn, 178. 



304 INDEX. 

Auburn, 232. 
Avery, Polly, 173. 
Badcock, Jouas, 228. 

Badcock, Lemuel, 52, 72, 84, 86, 87, 94, 97. 
Baily, Benj., 117, 118. 
Baily, Silas, ri8, 284. 
Baily, Tim., 284. 
Baker, Lieut. Edw., 43, 65.. 
Baker, John, 65, 115, 211. 

Baker, Joseph, 43, 65, 77, 97, 107, 109, 124, 131, 155, 158, 172, 173, 181, 
198, 203, 210, 218, 219, 228, 236, 241, 242, 257, 258, 271, 272, 276, 

277, 288. 
Baker, Persis, 43, 83, 209, 211. 
Baker, Hon. Sam'l, 107. 
Baldwin, Betty, 282, 285. 
Baldwin, Isaac, 76, 123, 128, 148, 150, 157, 158, 173, 174, 221, 254, 261, 

282, 285. 
Baldwin, Col. Jeduthan, 82, 105, 109, 116, 128, 173, 221, 224, 229, 237, 

273- 
Baldwin, Lucy Parkman, 99, 116, 150, 158, 250, 275, 276. 
Baldwin, Luke, 173, 174, 261. 
Ball, Mary, 130. 
Ball, Nathan, 42. 
Ball, Dr. Stephen, 130. 
Bancroft, Benj., 126, 127, 128. 
Barker, Betsey, 288, 289, 290. 
Barnardston, 289. 
Barns, Francis, 179, 279. 
Barrett, John, 220, 240. 
Barrett, Nancy, 182. ' 
Barrett, Sam'l, 133, 152, 182. 
Barrett, Thos., 219. 
Bartlett, Frank V., 20. 
Batheric, Solomon, 188, 189, 190, 200, 294. 
Batherick, John'n, 113, 131. 
Batherick, Stephen, 234. 



INDEX. 305 

Battery Street, 243. 
Baverick, David, 13, 27. 
Beals, Eliza, 131. 
Beals, Elizabeth, 261. 
Beeman Family, 14. 
Beeman, Ebea'r, 42. 
Beeman, Major Ezra, 126. 
Beeton, John, 206, 292. 
Beaton, Nanny, 58, 59. 
Beeton, Mrs. John, 260. 
Belcher, Alethina, 57. 
Belknap, John, 131, 132, 133, 144, 163. 
Belknap, Stephen, 215. 
Bellows, James, 170. 
Bellows, Ithamar, 128, 133. 
Bellows, Simeon, 244. 
Bellows, Thos., 126. 
Bennington, Vt., 15. 
Berwick, 157. 
Bigelow, Dan'l, 232. 
Biglo, Thos., 98. 
Biglow, Asahel, 175, 181. 
Biglow, Corn., 252, 253, 255, 257, 290. 
Biglow, Katy, 164, 165. 
Biglow, Paul, 254. 

Biglow, Rev. (of Sudbury), 129, 175, 192, 225. 
Bimeleck, Sue, 205. 
Blaudford, 180. 

Bolton, 70, 114, 117, 127, 129, 135, 136, 151, 207, 228, 259, 279, 283, 

287. 
Bond, Abraham, 161, 257, 259, 260, 268. 
Bond, Mrs. Daniel, 199. 
Bond, Hannah, 36. 
Bond, John, 132, 161. 
Bond, Dea., 151, 176, 245. 
Bond, Jonas, 67, 137, 143, 162, 288, 290. 
20 



3o6 INDKX. 

Bond, Joseph, 115, 1S3, 220, 275. 

Boston, 17,25,29,83,84,103, 106, 117, 120, 123, 126, 128, 134, 137, 

149, 161, 167, 176, 180, 183, 187, 189, 190, 206, 212, 216, 218, 221, 
229, 235, 237, 240, 248, 249, 250, 251, 261, 276, 284, 289, 293. 
Boston Hill, 180. 
Bowdoiu, James, 265. 
Bowker, Josiah, 248. 
Bowman, Rev. 211, 212. 
Bowman, James, 13. 
Bradford, 224. 
Bradford, Elizabeth, 21S. 
Bradish, Jonas, 52, 55, 131, 132. 
Bradish, Mary, 204. 
Bradshaw, Benj., 68, 80, 86, 92, 99. 
Bradshaw, Nathan., 86. 
Bradshaw, Parkman, 68, 69, 115, 180, 186. 
Bradshaw, Wm., 94. 
Braintree, New, 70, 131. 
Breck, Hannah, 17, 21, 25, 29. 
Breck, Rev. Robert, 21. 
Breck, Robert, Jr., 2,57, 281, 287. 
Bridge, Eben'r, 67. 

Bridge, Rev. Josiah, 66, 68, 129, 157, 175, 192, 225, 279. 
Bridgewater, 221. 
Brigham, Anna, 66, 216, 261, 272. 
Brigham, Anne, 62. 
Brigham, Antipas, 194, 203. 
Brigham, Asa, 190. 
Brigham, Benaj., 8o.- 
Brigham, Benj., 241. 
Brigham, David, 14, 25, 37, 38, 42, 274. 
Brigham, Edmund, 169, 194, 203, 226, 293. 
Brigham, Edward, 169, 188. 
Brigham, I^li, 138. 
Brigham, Elijah, 61, 65, 66, 68, 70, 92, 97, 106, 108, 113, 115, 117, 122. 

127, 128, 136, 176, 178, 183, 184, 189, 192, 221, 224, 237, 239, 244, 
247, 249, 251, 252, 255, 258, 259, 264, 266, 268, 271, 272, 277, 288. 



INDEX. 307 

Brighani, Elizabeth, 78. 
Brigham, Gershom, 192, 200, 241. 
Brighani, Mrs. Gershom, 258, 263, 264, 266. 
Brigham, Hepsibath, 194. 

Brigham, Capt. Jonas, 83, 122, 131, 188, 194, 209, 277. 
Brigham, Joseph, 241. 

Brigham, Josiah, 77, 105, 184, 189, 208, 211, 212, 220, 224, 235, 248, 

249, 261, 262, 264, 272, 275. 
Brigham, Col. Levi, 59, 65, 66, 122, 179, 189, 216, 221, 263, 277, 279, 

282, 288, 292. 
Brigham, Levi, Jr., 264. 
Brigham, Mary, 243. 

Brigham, Mindwell, 66, 77, 216, 241, 272. 
Brigham, Moses, 87, 97, 106, no, 115, 181, 268. 
Brigham, Nathan, 28, 51. 
Brigham, Phineas, 98. 
Brigham, Dr. Samuel, 62, 130, 168, 215. 
Brigham, Samuel, 189, 248, 250, 251, 252. 
Brigham, Silas, 26, 292. 
Brighani, Timothy, 42. 
Brigham, Uriah, 225. 
Brigham, Wm., 188, 243. 
Brigham, Mrs. Wm., 133, 243. 
Brigham, Winslow, 66, 158, 200, 272. 
Brimfield, 266. 

Broaders, Hiram L., 112, 166. 
Broaders, Jacob, 133, 166. 

Brookfield, 68, 69, 80, 82,86, 94, 99, 105, 107, 109, 115, 116, 123, 124, 
126, 148, 150, 155, 157, 173, 174, i8r, 199, 207, 250, 265, 270. 274. 
Brookfield, North, 83. 
Brookline, 10, 35, 122. 
Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth, 122, 124. 
Brown, Rev. Joseph, 132. 
Brown, Joseph, 105, 136, 163. 
Brown, Polly, 155. 
Bryant, Lieut. Daniel, 120. 



3o8 INDEX. 

Bryant, Elias, 113, 180. 
Bryant, John, 113. 
Bryant, Timothy, 134, 164. 178, 180. 
Bruce, Artemas, 167. 
Buckminster, Col. Wm., 213. 
Buckminster, Rev. Joseph, 75, 213. 
Buckley, Capt. Joseph, 9. 
Bumpso, Sam'l, 13. 
Buruett, Henrietta, 253, 255. 
Burnett, Lois, 252, 253, 255. 
Burr, Aaron, 58. 

Burr, Rev. Isaac, 31, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45. 
Burr, Thaddeus, 58. 
Burroughs, Mrs. Richard, 39, 41. 

Burying Ground, 43, 51, 78, 100, no, 128, 153, 154, 199, 297. 
Burying Ground in N'boro', 133. 
Bush, Mrs. Jotham, 293. 
Byfield, 76, 109, 128, 262. 
Byles, Capt., 25, 37, 38, 39. 

Cambridge, 9, 16, 35, 43, 68, 70, 72, 80, 82, 93, 124, 126, 148, 149, 158, 
168, 171, 175, 180, 183, 208, 210, 218, 230, 241, 246, 262. 
Camlet, 80. 
Campbell, Wm., 187. 
Canterbury, 175. 
Cape Ann, 98. 
Castle, the, 35, 36. 
Chamberlain, Daniel, 126, 129. 
Chamberlain, Eben'r, 260. 
Chamberlain, Eben'r, Jr., 113, 128. 
Chamberlain, Nat., 127. 
Champney, Mary, 9. 

Champney, Lydia, 9, 18, 29, 67, 71, 109, 134, 137, 162, 172, 219, 

249, 250. 
Champney, Ruth, 14. 
Champney, Sam'l, 9, 16, 17, 18, 35, 219. 
Chandler, Wm., 191. 



INDEX. 309 

Chandler, Coll., 21. 
Charltou, 109. 
Charlestown, 124, 172. 
Chauncey Poud, 38, 40. 
Chauxit, 59, 213, 225. 
Cherry Valley, 77. 
Child, Jonathan, 67, 287, 288. 
Chubb, Eben'r, 43. 
Clark, David, 125. 
Clark, Capt. Isaac, 19. 
Clung, John, 30, 37. 
Common, the, 48. 

Concord, 9, 39, 45, 62, 122, 134, 139, 172, 175, 211, 218, 241, 249, 271, 

273, 292. 
Contention Road, 126. 
Cooledge, Pamela, 158, 233. 
Cook, Cornelius, 16, 55, 72, 120, 159. 
Cook, Molly, 16, 
Cook, Robert, 120. 
Cook, Stephen, 120. 
Cook, Tom, 16, 35, 72, 120, 159. 
Corey, Dr. F. E., 160. 
Coi's Hill, 92, 181, 225, 281. 
Crawford, John, 170. 
Crookes, J.. 83. 
Crosby, Aaron, 180. 
Crosby, Ebeuezer, 223. 
Crosby, Master John, 233, 270. 
Crosby, Sally, 118. 

Crosby, Sam'l, 180, 220, 259, 269, 270, 274, 278, 279, 281. 
Curtis, Dr. Wm., 51. 
Cashing, Alice, 272. 
Cushing, Doddridge, 183. 
Cushing, Madam, 152, 192. 
Cushing, Col. Job, 40, 82, 96, 126, 135, 162. 
Cushing, Rev. Job, 37, 39, 40, 45. 



3IO INDEX. 

Gushing, John, 85, 120, 128, 135. 

Gushing, Rev. John, 40, 120, 173, 183, 239, 240, 271, 273, 281. 

Gushing, Sarah Parkman, 81, 82, 148, 271, 183, 269, 271, 273. 

Gutter, Gharles, 176. 

Dana's Tavern, 35. 

Dalrymple, Sam., 108. 

Danforth, Thos., 9. 

Dark Day, 235. 

Dartmouth Gollege, 66, 127, 168, 222. 

David, Abimelech, 205. 

Davis, Abigail, 187. 

Davis, Isaac, 62, iii, 152, 166, 179, 247. 

Davis, Gov. John, 62, iii. 

Davis, Joseph, in. 

Davis, Phineas, in. 

Deadman, Wm., 120. 

Death, Martha, 65. 

Death, Oliver, 277. 

Denny, Parkman T., 208. 

Derby, Elias Hasket, 103. 

Dix, James, 172, 230. 

Dolliber, Deac, 183. 

Dorr, Joseph, 232, 233. 

Dudley, Paul, 32, 46. 

Dummer School, 76, 123, 285. 

Eager, Gapt. James, 30, 39, 42, 43. 

Electrical Machine, 105, 136. 

Evans, Israel, 291. 

Executions, 48, 182. 

Fairbank, Drury, 150, 156. 

Fairbank, Eleazar, 148. 

Fairbank, Eph., 118. 

Fairbanks, Isaiah, 136. 

Fairfield, 58. 

P'aneuil Hall, 103. 

P'aneuil, Peter, 10^. 



INDEX. 311 

Farrar, Joseph, 67. 
P'ay, Anna, 207, 213, 216. 
Fay, Benj., 137, 153, 185, 216, 232, 282. 
Fay, David, 163, 208. 
Fay, Elizabeth, 154. 
Fay, Ensign, 121. 
F'ay, Gershoni, 42. 
Fay, Jeduthun, 168. 
Fay, James, 13, 38. 
Fay, John, 81, 259, 260, 263. 
Fay, Jonathan, 124, 138, 251. 
Fay, Mehitable, 260. 
Fay, Rebecca, 121. 
Fay, Sam'l, 154, 168, 192, 258. 
Fay, Stephen, 11, 14, 15, 22, 177, 178. 
Fesseuden, John, iii, 134, 166, 234. 
Fessenden, Katharine, 166. 

Fisher, Capt. Nathan, 89, 125, 151, 156, 174, 182, 205, 237, 240, 245, 

252, 254, 255, 256, 283. 
Fishkill, 78, 133, 145, 270, 294. 

Fisk, Master EHsha, 76, 81, 82, 85, 95, 97, 105, 108, 287. 
Fisk, Nathan, 80, 277. 
Fisk, Patty, 76, 119, 253. 
Fiske, Shepherd, 165, 167. 

Fitch, Rev. Elijah, 139, 146, 151, 155. 190, 280, 281. 
Fitch, Elijah, Jr., 155. 
Fitchburg, 162. 
Fitzpatrick, Dennis, 69. 
Fitz-William, 293. 
Flagg, Gershom, 217, 220. 
Flag, Nathan, 162. 
Flanders Road, 126. 
Fletcher, John, 178. 

Forbes, Daniel, 72, 82, 90, 107, 135, 138, 162, 168, 172, 177, 181, 197, 

199. 
Forbes, Mrs. Dan., 273, 275. 



312 INDEX. 

Forbes, Dauiel, Jr., 86, 199, 207. 
Forbes, Ebenezer, 172. 

Forbes, Rli, 82, 97, 98, 107, 124, 126, 131, 137, 139, 151, 199, 219, 243, 

248, 262, 270, 273. 
Forbes, Klisha, 75, 77, 79, 81, 131, 134, 137, 148, 154, 155, 198, 207, 

218,275. 
Forbes, John, 86, 116, 128, 130, 168, 200. 

Forbes, Jonathan, 38, 72, 87, no, 116, 176, 177, 207, 230, 242, 282. 
Forbes, Mary Parkman, 39. 
Forbes, Patience, 32. 
Forbes, Thankful, 240. 
Forbush, Abigail, 199. 
Forbush, Anna, 178. 
Forbush, Dan, 12. 
Forbush, Eben'r, 72, 184, 262, 277. 
Forbush, Hannah, 72. 
Forbush, Isaac, 156. 
Forbush, Patty, 72, 79, 80, 254. 
Forbush, Rebecca, 38. 
Forbush, Sani'l, 16, 36, 40, 131, 135, 190. 
Forbush, Thos., 127, 144, 169, 203. 
Foster, Edmund, 134. 
Foster, Isaac, 131. 
Foster, Jacob, 157, 171, 175. 

Framingham, 19, 61, 106, 161, 191, 224, 235, 268, 287. 
Frisbie, Levi, 69, 76. 
Frost, Amariah, 57. 
Frost, John, 275, 277. 
Frost, Thos., 274, 275. 

Gale, Abijah, 69, 115, 170, 171, 181, 186, ,203, 242, 248, 262, 282, 287, 291. 
Gale, Abraham, 169. 
Garfield, Jacob, 277. 
Garfield, Lydia, 146. 
Gibson, James, 286. 
Giles, Abigail, 258. 
Giles, Sam'l, 258. 



INDEX. 313 

Gloucester, 107. 
Goddard, Benj., 38. 
Goddard, Daniel, 266. 
Goddard, Edw., 38. 
Goddard, Nathan, 192. 
Godfry, Ruth, 52, 135. 
Gookin, Daniel, 40. 

Goodell, David, 78, 79, 99, 105, 136, 206. 
Goss, Rev., 68, 129, 137, 151, 207. 
Goss, Thos., 129. 
Gott, Anna, 62. 
Gott, Benj., 21, 29, 42, 62. 
Gott, Sarah, 225. 

Grafton, 13, 26, 41, 6r, 92, 93, 105, 114, 138, 145, 151, 162, 222, 242, 

269, 273. 
Greenwood, Enoch, 211. 

Grosvenor, Dan., 13, 86, 93, 105, 121, 123, 136, 138, 162, 222, 242, 266, 

269, 273, 291. 
Grosvenor, Eben'r, 293. 
Grosvenor, Lemuel, 240. 
Grosvenor, Nathan, 93. 
Grout, Benj., 78, 181. 
Grout, Daniel, 92. 

Grout, Jonathan, 78, 160, 165, 173, 176, 186, 230, 265. 
Grout, Joseph, 78, 80, 105, 145, 167, 173, 176, 178, 187. 
Grout, Joseph, Jr., iii. 
Grout, Mehitable, 87. 
Grout, Moses, 78. 
Grout, Wm., 78. 
Green, Jane, 182. 
Green, Joseph, 80, 92. 
Greenleaf, Sheriff, 112, 162. 
Guildford, New, 92. 

Hall, Rev. David, 48, 85, 121, 155, 196, 223, 224, 235. 
Hall, John'u, 147. 
Hamilton, John, 30. 



314 INDEX. 

Hancock, John, 58, 91, 265. 
Hardy, Constantine, 26, 83. 
Hardy, Daniel, 12, 71, 250. 
Hardy, Elijah, 105, 114, 136, 185. 
Hardy, Hannah, 241, 256. 
Hardy, Joseph, 154, 233, 236. 
Hardy, Lucy, 241. 
Hardy, Noah, 127, 275. 
Hardy, Phineas, 135, 275. 
Harding, Elias, 240. 
Hardwick, 115, 208, 289. 
Harvard College, 56, 58, 82, 265. 
Harrington, Caleb, 70, 79, 115, 159, 185, 226, 294'. 
Harrington, Eli, 200. 
Harrington, John, 123, 205, 278. 

Harrington, Joseph, 69, 79, 135, 138, 150, 156, 176, 188, 230, 236, 276. 
Harrington, Joshua, 43. 
Harrington, Molly, 75. 
Harrington, Sam'l, 211. 
Harrington, Thos., 78. 
Hartshorn, Eben'r, 164. 
Harwood, Peter, 155. 
Hasham, Mary, 162. 
Hastings, Stewart, 247. 

Hawes, James, 55, 82,84, 94. ii4. nj, i37. M3- 156, 164, 172, 180, 
187, 190, 192, 215, 221, 223, 226, 231, 239, 240, 241, 246, 256, 261, 

266, 276, 290. 
Hawes, Mrs. James, 155, 258. 
Hayward, Daniel, 45. 
Hazelton, Judith, 154. 

Hazeltine, Master, 166, 168, 169, 174, 179, 189, 190, 195, 200, 209, 211, 

213, 236, 241, 257, 272, 279. 
Henderson, Hugh, 20, 31, 37, 40, 41, 44, 46, 48. 
Henstick, Rev., 136. 
Hicks, John, 9, 30, 43. 
Hicks, Ruth, 286. 



INDEX. 315 

Hicks, Zechary, 224, 249, 250. 
Hill, Caleb, 286. 
Hill, Silas, 280, 281. 
Hitchcock, David, 107, 109. 
Hobby, John'n, 139. 
Holbrook, Dan., 127. 
Holland, Abr'm, 117, 220, 245. 
Holyoke, Elizur, 279, 288. 
Hopkins, James, 227, 228. 

Hopkinton, 98, 133, 146, 147, 152, 164, 204, 206, 220, 240. 244, 249, 265, 

277, 280. 
Houghton, Ezra, 55. 
Hovey, Patience, 163. 
How, Ben, 28, 67, 128. 
How, Daniel, iii, 117, 128, "130, 133. 
How, Eleazar, 21. 
How, Oliver, 109. 
How, Simon, 157, 189, 227. 
Howe, Azubah, 180. 
Howard, Polly, 119, 148. 
Howell, Benj., 80. 
Hubbard, Capt., 155. 
Hubbardston, 192. 
Hutchinson, Aaron, 13. 
Hutchinson, Aaron, Jr., 113, 114. 
Hystop, Mehitable, 122. 
Indian Harvest, 25. 
Indians, 20, 25, 144. 
Ipswich, 76, 167. 
Jackstraw, 75, 199. 
Jarvis, John, 16. 
Jenison, Wm., 258. 
Johnson, Edw., 129. 
Johnson, Elliot, 279. 
Johnson, John, 242. 
Johnson, Joshua, 70. 



3l6 INDEX. 

Johnson, Stephen, 279. 

Johnson, Susannah, 57. 

Johnson, Wm., 144. 

Johnson, Mrs. Wm., 245. 

Jones, Landlord, 181. 

Jones, Nancy, 164. 

Jones, Sam'l, 117. 

Kelley, John, 120. 

Kelly, Mrs., 59, iii, 128, 206, 228. 

Kellogg, David, 287. 

Kendal, Thos., 60, 250. 

Kenney, Joel, 256, 277, 

Kenney, Nathan, 155, 226, 228, 278. 

Keyes, Justice, 14. 

King, Jerusha, 155. 

Kittery, 250. 

Knight, Wm., 241. 

Knowlton, Mrs. Joseph, 258. 

Lambert, Julia, 91. 

Lamson, Paul, 251. 

Lamson, Thos., 263, 278, 282. 

Lamson, Mrs., 149, 163, 212, 213. 

Lancaster, 161, 224. 

Langdon, Pres., 113. 

Lawson, Sam., 150. 

Lee, Joseph, 125. 

Leominster, 163. 

Lewis, Mary, 79. 

Littleton, 113. 

Livermore, Elisha, 290. 

Lock, Frederic, 241. 

Loring, Father, 1:7, 122, 124. 

Loring, Jonathan, 105. 

Lynde, Benj., 46. 

Maccarty, Rev. Thaddeus, 176, 1S2, 239. 

McTaggart, James, 78. 



INDEX. 317 

Mallet, Mrs., 122, 125, 127. 
Mansfield, 124, 227. 
Marble, Henry, 68, 70. 
Marblehead, 79, 129, 183. 

Marlborough, 9, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 42, 100, 109, iii, 113, 129, 134, 136, 
157. 163, 175, 182, 206. 225, 263, 279, 293. 
Martha's Vineyard, 30, 149. 
Ma}^ Wm., 124, 125, 139. 
Maynard, Amasa, 83, 212, 263. 
Maynard, David, 151, 249. 

Maynard, Eben'r, 57, 59, 70, no, 187, 206, 215, 248, 278. 
Maynard, Eben'r, Jr., 104. 
Maynard, Harvey, 189. 
Maynard, Hezekiah, 158, 182, 227, 288. 
Maynard, James, 83, 212, 263. 
Maynard, James, Jr., 248. 
Maynard, John, 51, 119, 192. 
Maynard, Jon'n, 93, 190, 224, 263. 
Maynard, Lucy, 207, 218, 290. 

Maynard, Nathan, 65, 67, 80, 83, 151, 192, 205, 219, 276. 
Maynard, Nathan, Jr., 79, 92, 98, 188, 190, 216, 220. 
Maynard, Neh'h, 81, 82, 192. 
Maynard, Rhoda, 183. 

Maynard, vStephen, 62, 63, 79, 83, 84, iii, 119, 122, 123, 130, 137, 168, 
171, 206, 214, 221, 228, 271, 283, 284. 
Maynard, Mrs. Stephen, 71, 76, 78, 81, 85, 99, 106, in, 113, 117, 121, 
127, 133. 135. 139. 149. 150, 164, 174, 181, 185, 190, 215, 225, 227, 
231, 246, 252, 257, 259, 261, 271, 274, 279, 282, 286, 288, 290, 293. 
Maynard, Stephen, Jr., 84, 97, 121, 130, 158, 226, 291. 
Maynard, Thankful, 189. 
Maynard, Winslow, 248. 
Martyn, Nabby, 76, 241, 262, 287, 288. 
Mather, Rev. Sam'l, 18. 
Mathias, Dan, 186. 
Medfield, 112, 140, 147, 233. 
Mendon, 134. 



3lS INDEX. 

Messenger, Esther, 57. 
Milford, 57. 
Miller, Aaron, 276. 
Miller, Dan'l, 293. 
Miller, Eben'r, 184. 
Miller, Fortunatus, 72, 254. 
Miller, Isaac, 107, 127. 
Miller, Jatiies, 250. 
Miller, Sarah, 130, 169. 
Monanaow, David, 25, 205. 
Montague, 125. 

Moore, Rev. John'u, 94, 109, iii, 140, 169, 220, 232, 233, 259, 287. 
Morey, George, 292. 
Morse, Sally, 286. 

Morse, Seth, 100, 109, 188, 212, 256, 275, 283, 284. 
Mottey, Joseph, 227. 
Natalitia, 165, 269, 294. 
Nawgawwoomcom, 25. 
Need ham, 149. 
Needhani, Thos., 133. 
Newel, Rev. 117, 157, 246, 279. 
New Connecticut Road, 30. 
New Fane, 212. 
New Haven, 30, 147, 148. 
New Marlboro', 161. 
Newton, 149. 

Newton, Abner, 20, 45, 120. 

Newton, Barnabas, 92, 95, 125, 137, 172, 185, 205, 218. 
Newton, Charles, 76, 93. 
Newton, John, 274, 289. 
Newton, Josiah, 25. 
Newton, Paul, 162. 
Newton, Stephen, 274. 

Northborough, 30, 61, 89, iii, 117, 130, 133, 137, 139, 162, 190, 227, 

239, 243, 246, 263, 264, 273. 
Northampton, 21. 



INDEX. 319 

Nottingham, Mary, 285, 287, 289. 
Nourse, B. A., 121, 153. 
Nurse, Beuj., 121. 
Nurse, Eben, 13, 119. 

Nurse, Daniel, 121, 130, 136, 139, 152, 167. 
Nurse, Lydia, 121, 136, 168. 
Nurse, Mary, 121. 
Nurse, Moses, 145, 216, 228. 
Nurse, 'Priscilla, 121. 

Nurse, Rebecca, 121, 136, 168, 183, 184, 186, 188. 
Nurse, Wni., 121. 
Old Mill Road, 242. 
Old, Town Folks, 170. 
Oliver, Alexander, 82. 
Otter Creek, 77, 86, 105, 116, 168, 200. 
Oxford, 48, 109, 181, 187. 
Packard, Winslow, 56. 
Paine, Timothy, 232. 
Parker, Anna, 183. 

Parker, Amos, 121, 125, 128, 152, 169, 216. 
Parker, Elisha, 89, 92, 93, 113, 185, 190, 216. 

Parker, Ephrm., 106, 107, 109, 117, 128, 135, 146, 149, 155, 182, 184, 

185, 203 207, 220, 240. 
Parker, Gardner, 286. 

Parker, Hannaniah, 59, 80, 107, 197, 237, 252, 268. 
Parker, Isaac, 59, 106, 151, 177, 182, 183, 188, 189, 216, 240, 247, 254, 

275, 286. 
Parker, Joel, 286. 
Parker, Margery, 182. 
Parker, Timothy, 113, 200. 
Parkhurst, Wm., 92. 
Parkman, Abigail, 100. 

Parkman, Alexander, iio, 163, 213, 264, 266, 268, 280. 
Parkman, Anna Sophia, 60, 66, 75, 77, 109, 119, 128, 131, 136, 137, 
174, 184, 219, 221, 244, 248, 252, 264, 272. 
Parkman, Breck, is mentioned too often to index. 
Parkman, Ebenr., Jr., 29, 66, 99, 105, 107, 221, 244, 292, 294. 



320 INDEX, 

Parkman, Elias (Brother), 17, 35. 

Parkman, Elias (Son), is mentioned too often to index. 

Parkman, Elizabeth 10. 

Parkman, Eliza S., 103. 

Parkman, Francis, 103. 

Parkman, Hannah, 100, 247, 292. 

Parkman, John, 161, 188, 271. 

Parkman, Kezia, 161. 

Parkman, Lydia, 161, 175, 228, 229. 

Parkman, Neddy, 158. 

Parkman, Sally, 86, 100, 123, 124, 128, 149, 172, 242, 271, 273. 

Parkman, Sam'l, 100, 117, 123, 126, 187, 219, 234, 243, 248, 271, 273. 

Parkman, Sophy, 164. 

Parkman, Sukey, 271. 

Parkman, Suse (Concord), 175. 

Parkman, Thos., 221, 224. 

Parkman, Wm. (Boston), 10, 39, 235, 237, 243. 

Parkman, Wm. (Son), 109, 154, 159, 164, 218, 228, 229, 271, 273, 279. 

Parnienter, Bethiah, 190. 

Parsons, Sol., 124. 

Perry, Aaron, 177. 

Petersham, 91, 163, 168. 

Philip's Manor, 292. 

Pierce, Francis, 39. 

Pierce, Jon'n, 251. 

Pigeon, Henry, 155. 

Pigeon, John, 147, 148. 

Pollard Place, 43. 

Pomfret, 89, 105, 191. 

Porter, Huntingdon, 249. 

Powder Hill, 30. 

Potter, Moses, 167. 

Potter, Mrs. J. D., 100. 

Pratt, Eleazar, 26. 

Pratt Eliz., 151. 

Pratt, Isaac, 208. 



" INDEX. 321 

Pratt, John, 36. 
Pratt, Molly, 92. 
Pratt, Susanna, 93. 
Prentice, Heijry, 166. 
Prentice, Sol., 13, 14, 19, 26, 30, 41. 
Prescott, Dr. Jon'n, 9. 
Providence, 105. 
Puffer, Reuben, 192. 
Purpoodock, 145. 
Quincy, Dorothj', 58. 

Quincy, Edmund, 46, 57, 112, 140, 155, 173, 174, 187, 206, 214, 218, 

229, 259, 261, 273, 277, 291. 
Quincy, Eunice, 140. 
■Quincy, Henry, 57, 140, 241. 
Quincy, I., 148. 
Quincy, Jacob, 58. 
Rand, Wm., 165, 167. 
Reading, 9c. 
Remington, John'n, 46. 
Revere, Paul, 103. 
Rice, Adonijah, 125. 
Rice, Dolly, 130, 149, 181, 269. 
Rice, Edmund, 83, 263. 
Rice, Elias, 13. 
Rice, Nahor, 100. 
Rice, Noah, 13. 
Rice, Moses, 43. 
Rice, Seth, 25, 42, 228. 
Rice, Solomon, 13. 
Rice, Thomas, 20, 37, 45. 
Rice, Zebulon, 13, 164, 168, 274. 
Rider, Eleazar, 226. 
Rider, Sam'l, 242, 263. 
Ripley, Rev. David, 161. 
Ripley, Rev. Ezra, 71, 109, 134, 241. 
Robertson, Beverly, 292. 



322 TNDEX. 

Rochester, 149. 
Rogers, John, 13, 28. 
Rogers, Sarah, 103. 
Rogers, Wm., Jr., 38. 
Ruggles, Isaac, 251. 
Rutland, 37, 75. 
Salem, 133, 144, 258. 
Saltonstall, Rich., 46. 
Sanders, Mrs. Lucy, 82. 
Sanger, Dave, 84. 
Sargent, Henry, 103. 
Sargent, John, 223. 
Saunders, Charlotte, 137. 
Saunders, Jo., 270, 273. 
Savage, Ezek., 260. 
Savvfyer, David, 106. 
Schools, 82, 87, 166, 293. 
Sewall, Sam'l, 32, 58. 
Sharpe, Robert, 10, 18, 35. 
Sharpe, Susanna, 10, 18. 
Shaw, Coll. R. G., 103. 
Shaw, Sam'l, 103. 
Shaw, Sarah, 100. 
Shaw, Wm., 103. 
Shawmut, 25. 
Sherman, Nath., 75. 
Sherman, Sam'l, 175. 

Shrewsbury, 30, 40, 88, 97, 117, 120, 125, 128, 135, 148, 152, 153, i6r, 
169, 180, 192, 194, 239, 258, 272, 273, 274, 276, 278, 281. 
Simon, Daniel, 222. 
Singleterry, Squire, 268. 
Slave labor, 62. 
Small pox, 98. 

Smith, Rev. Aaron, 68, 129, 137, 157, 175, 225, 246, 279. 
Smith, James, 107, 125. 
Smith, Joseph, 123, 233, 253. 



INDEX. 323 

Smith, Sarah, 152. 
Snow, Ensign, 127, 144, 241. 
Snow, Mrs. Susan, 247. 
Snow, Thos., 10. 

Southborough, 42, 69, 71, 96, 162, 163, 175, 183, 207, 241, 260, 291. 
Sparhawk, Ebenezer, 113, 248. 
Sprague, John, 232. 

Spring, Billy, 77, 135, 211, 219, 231, 261, 266, 267. 
Spy, Wore, 85, 144, 178, 184, 192, 215, 295. 
Squam, 124. 
Stearns, Wm., 203, 232. 
Stevens, Chas. E., 31. 
Stevens, John, 124. 
Stillman, Major, 126. 
Stimsou, George, 127, 128. 

Stimson, Jeremy, 98, 109, 120, 159, 164, 220, 244. 
Stimson, Stephen, 267. 
Stockbridge, 120, 223. 
Stockwell, Daniel, 277. 
Stone, Benj., 97. 
Stone, N., 41. 
Stone, Thomas, 71, 222. 

Stone, Rev., 96, 112, 115, 129, 137, 157, 162, 163, 175, 189, 219, 225, 246, 

261, 291. 
Stoneham, 134, 180. 
Stony Point, 148. 
Storm, 81, 162, 195, 196. 
Stoughtonham, 86, 180. 
Stow, 117. 
Sturbridge, 164. 
Sudbury, 11, 19, 66, 129. 
Sumner, Increase, 10, 17. 

Sumner, Rev. Jos., 88, 93, 95, 96, 117, 136, 152, i6r, 168, 169, 192, 228, 

258, 268, 276, 278. 
Sutton, 48, 58, 85, 120, 126, 130, 136, 143, 162, 172, 196, 220, 264, 268. 
Swamp, Wild Cat, 26, 146. 



324 INDEX. 

Tainter, Benj., 154, 162, 176, 244, 246, 274. 

Tainter, Simon, 11, 51, 56, no, 244. 

Tainter, Simon, Jr., 14, 43. 

Taylor, Betsey, 222. 

Taylor, Hezekiah, 212. 

Templeton, 113. 

Tewksbury, 122, 123. 

Thankso^iving, 70, 71, 81, 180, 291. 

Thayer, John, 164. 

Thomas, Isaiah, 144. 

Thompson, Joseph, 189. 

Thurston, Sam'l, 246, 251, 262. 

Thurston, Sarah, 248, 251. 

Thyery, Dr., 14, 15, 19, 22. 

Tilestone, Mary, 10. 

Tomlin, Isaac, 112. 

Townsend, 122. 

Townsend, Lieut., 160. 

Trowbridge, Lieut., 9. 

Tucker, Eph'm, 172. 

Tuckerman, Mrs. Edw., 22, 39. 

Twitchell, John'n, 177. 

Twitchell, Joshua, 254. 

Twitchell, Thos., 165. 

Upton, 105, 151. 

Wait, Thad., 286. 

Walcott, Sol., 124. 

Wall, Caleb, 31, 44. 

Walley Brethren, 118. 

Walpole, 194. 

Waltham, 135. 

Ward, 232, 249. 

Ward, Artemas, 95, 175. 

Ward, Dfeborah, 27. 

Ward, Increase, 45. 

Ward, John'n, 112. 



INDEX. 325 

Ware, Beriah, 255, 258, 286. 
Warren, Aarou, 125. 
Warren, Benj., 143. 
Warren, Eunice, 215. 
Warren, James, 265. 
Warren, John, 178, 256. 
Warren, Jonas, 121, 146, 213, 214. 
Warren, Levi, 71, 166, 176, 181, 235, 274, 280. 
Warren, Moses, 151, 187. 

Warren, Thad., 69, 106, 215, 221, 222, 229, 236, 248, 251, 254, 262, 274, 

275, 289, 292, 294. 
Warren, Thos., 97. 
Warren, Tim., 13, 145, 277. 
Warwick, 166. 
Watertown, 9, 11, 106, 279. 
Waters, Cornelius, 288, 290, 291. 
Waters, Sam'l, 268. 
Webber, James, 145, 147. 
Weeks, Coll., 157, 279. 
Weston, 109, 134. 
Wetmore, Rebecca, 219. 
Wheeler, Joseph, 232. 
Wheelock, Eleazar, 189. 
Wheelock, Eph., 164. 
Wheelock, Moses, 172, 186, 217, 278, 286. 
Whipple, Squire, 139, 163, 169. 
Whiting, Rev. John, 9, 39. 
Whitney, Aaron, 91, 163, 168. 
Whitney, Eli, 92, ii3> I54- i73. 176, i77. 184, 230. 
Whitney, Elijah, 154. 
Whitney, Hannah, 123, 136, 140. 
Whitney, Mrs. Israel, 9. 
Whitney, Nath., 136. 

Whitney, Peter, 68, 89, 114, 117, 119, 129, 137. 138, 151, 155, 157, 162, 
192, 227, 229, 230, 232, 234, 238, 246, 258, 264, 269, 273, 279, 283. 
Whitney, Thos., 59, 153, 214, 282. 



326 INDEX. 

Whitney, Tim., 59, 154. 
Wightman, Rob., 288, 289. 
Wigwam Tree, 25, 205 
Wilder, Luke, 115. 
Willard, Aaron, 145, 163. 
Willard, Benj., 145. 
Willard, Simon, 145, 151. 
Williams, Lucy, 89. 
Williams, Sam'l, 119, 224, 230. 
Williams Tavern, 25. 
Wilson, Benj., Jr., 189. 
Wilson, Rob., 59. 
Wiman, Sarah, 135. 

Winchester, Billy, 189, 192, 211, 212, 220, 222, 224, 229, 230. ■ 
Winchester, Jon'n, 212. 
Winchester, Thos., 13. 
Wit, Sam'l, 157. 
Wood, Abr'm, 229, 234, 252. 

Wood, Benj., 67, 184, 227, 262, 276, 280, 284, 285, 291. 
Wood, Dea. James, 28, 89, iii, 114, 122, 157, 165, 166, 172, 176, 181, 
187, 190, 200, 205, 206, 218, 221, 222, 228. 234, 244, 248, 253, 255, 

257, 264, 278. 
Wood, Capt. John, 112, 122, 127, 170, 172, 182, 222, 231, 251, 276, 280, 

283, 284, 291. 
Wood, John, 261, 265, 284. 
Wood, Joseph, 265. 
Wood, Polly, 258. 
Wood, Reuben, 184. 
Wood, Sam'l, 229. 
Wood, Seth, 144. 
Wood, Thomas, 265. 
Wood, Wm., 204. 
Woods Isaac, 292. 
Woodstock, 21. 
Woodward, Sam'l, 109, 134. 
W'orkhouse, 145, 277. 



INDEX. 327 

Worcester, 31, 39, 40, 43, 45, 46, 80, 151, 178, 181, 182, 190, 232, 251. 
Wrentham, 55. 
Yale College, 113. 
Young, Robert, 182. 



NOV 18 1899 



